Our Mission and Values
White Bear Center for the Arts' Mission is to:
ENRICH LIVES by Celebrating Art
NOURISH IMAGINATION by Inspiring Creativity
BUILD UNDERSTANDING by Connecting People
Our Core Values:
Creativity
Creativity is at the heart of what we do. We are open to what’s new and willing to experiment in the interest of adventurous programming that inspires creativity.
Hospitality
We strive to maintain a culture, environment, and inclusive community where all feel welcome, cared for, and valued.
Respect
We treat each other and all we encounter with respect. We respect diverse art, cultures, and ideas.
Growth
We believe in learning and enriching lives by experiencing art and the creative process. We strive to provide growth opportunities for all abilities and ages.
Quality
We seek to provide art, learning experiences, and work products of the highest quality.
Integrity
We are committed to fulfilling our mission, authentically living our values, and being accountable and responsible stewards of WBCA’s resources.
White Bear Center for the Arts' Vision, 2025:
White Bear Center for the Arts is a diverse and growing community widely known for enriching lives, nourishing imagination and building understanding through art. Embodying hospitality, quality and respect for all, it is a dynamic and inspiring center where all are welcome to celebrate art, connect with their creativity and connect with one another.
The Center garners national attention by attracting celebrated artists, receiving an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and being featured in prominent publications. White Bear Center for the Arts is generously supported in ways that assure its sustainability.
White Bear Center for the Arts is an exciting destination with a campus featuring facilities, attractions and programs that serves as a magnet for visitors from far and wide. It is a hub of activity called "White Bear's treasure" by many; the city of White Bear is coming to be known as "White Bear, a center for the arts."
Most notably the Center has preserved what made it special since its beginning: a welcoming, caring, passionate and creative community. More people of all ages and cultures proudly call White Bear Center for the Arts "My Center."
Diversity & Inclusion
To ensure an atmosphere of joy and wonder for WBCA and that its programming is accessible to all members of the community, we must be a culturally responsive center that reflects the diversity of our local area.
WBCA believes that diversity, inclusion, and equity are essential to fulfilling our mission to enrich lives by celebrating art, nourish imagination by inspiring creativity, and build understanding by connecting people for all in the Northeast Metro suburban area who wish to participate. WBCA embraces differences and commonalities across race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental & physical ability, religion, age, and socioeconomic class.
We believe that in order to build a more diverse foundation of members, we must work to identify barriers and commit to removing these limitations.
We commit to expanding our awareness about, and representation in, the greater diverse arts experience and strive to make art an intrinsic part of everyday life.
To meaningfully and measurably foster a culture of inclusion, we will focus on:
- Building our cultural capacity through education, cultural training, and intentional engagement with diverse artists and audiences.
- Providing accessible programs of relevance by engaging diverse artists in planning and delivery of programs at WBCA.
- Seeking opportunities that expand outreach to diverse populations in our community.
WBCA stands behind the importance of long-term, sustainable relationships built on genuine respect for the creative, social, and cultural spirit of each individual. This initiative is the bedrock for all action and planning done by the Board and Staff at WBCA.