Since 1969 · Staples, Minnesota
The arts, brought home to rural Minnesota.
For more than fifty years, the Staples Motley Area Arts Council has welcomed symphonies, chamber ensembles, theatre companies, and visiting artists to a small town that decided it would not go without them.
“To enlighten, educate, and enrich through visual, literary, and performing arts.”
Our mission
Our history
A legacy built one concert at a time.
The Staples Motley Area Arts Council began in 1969 when a small group decided that rural Minnesota needed the arts brought to its people. Over the years the name has changed and the programs have grown, but the dream has not.
- 1969
A small group, a big idea
Duane Lund convenes the first organizational meeting of the Staples Fine Arts Council on July 10, with the conviction that rural Minnesota deserved world-class arts.
- July 1969
Music by the lake
Just ten days later, the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra plays an outdoor concert at Dower Lake — closing with “Stars and Stripes Forever” under fireworks. Sally Gorton recalls being “astonished how it happened.”
- 1970s
Building connections
Young teacher Stan Carlson joins and helps coordinate touring schedules. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, and Guthrie Theatre all make their way to Staples.
- 1980s
A home worthy of the work
Members lead the Staples Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP), going door-to-door for donations to build a true performance venue — and expanding visiting-artist work with students.
- 1991
Centennial Auditorium opens
The auditorium at Staples Motley High School is completed. The council reconvenes and has sponsored no fewer than four concerts every year since.
- Today
Staples Motley Area Arts Council
A Concert Series, Music in the Park, and Children's Theater now reach more than 2,000 adults and 250 children each year across the region.
In the early days, the council hosted three or four performances every year — the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, traveling plays from the Guthrie. Concerts moved between the school gym and cafeteria, and everyone agreed a real venue was needed.
That conviction became Centennial Auditorium. Sally Gorton remembers neighbors going door to door for donations: “People worked so diligently, and it gave a sense of community ownership of the auditorium.” Stan Carlson put it simply — “people like that bring the glue that holds the organization together.”
Community involvement
Volunteer, sponsor, or simply lend a hand.
Every concert on our stage is made possible by neighbors who show up — folding chairs, taking tickets, baking cookies for intermission, serving on a committee, or writing a check that brings a touring orchestra to town. There is a place for you here.
Volunteer
Help at the door, set up Music in the Park, drive a visiting artist from the airport, or join a planning committee.
Sponsor a performance
Businesses and families can underwrite a concert, a Children's Theater production, or an entire Music in the Park season.
Donate
Tax-deductible gifts of any size keep ticket prices low and let us say yes to bigger, bolder programming.
From the lawn
Scenes from Music in the Park
Lawn chairs, bandshell light, neighbors you haven't seen since last summer. This is what your support makes possible.
2026 Sponsors
With gratitude
The 2026 season is brought to you by these generous partners. Their support keeps the lights on, the stage full, and the doors open to all.
- Five Wings Arts Council
- Staples Host Lions
- 3M
- Todd Wadena Electric
- Motley Lions
- Staples Motley Community Foundation
- Staples Rotary
Get in touch
Tell us how you'd like to help
Fill this out and we'll be in touch. Or write to us at P.O. Box 132, Staples, MN 56479.
Get involved
Help us write the next chapter.
The Concert Series is paid for by grants, underwriting, donations, and ticket sales. Tax-deductible donations are always welcome — and so are new voices on our committees. Together we can keep raising what the arts can mean for a small town.