The mission of the Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC) is to foster the arts in our communities.

In 2022, Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council (HPAAC) changed its name to Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC). The goals of HPAC are two-fold: we organize our own programs and events, and we collaborate with community organizations that believe the arts are essential in both the Hastings and Prescott communities. 

History of HPAC

HPAAC was originally founded in 2008 when a group of citizens decided that the arts were important in the life of our communities. HPAAC introduced events and programs for all types of artists and audiences in our communities. It built the arts in our communities for over ten years!

HPAAC helped to organize the River Valley Band. This community concert band practices weekly and performs throughout the year. Our partnership with the Prescott community led to the establishment of the Orange Dragon Art Gallery. Each week, a group of seniors meets at the Hastings Senior Center for free arts activities. There is also a “Little Colony” painters group that meets in Prescott every Thursday morning. They are named in honor of a 1920’s group of painters famous in the St Croix Valley. A Writers’ Workshop is held monthly at the LeDuc Historic Estate. Music concerts featuring all types of music are held throughout the year in private homes and public spaces, such as the Rotary Pavilion along the Mississippi River.

In 2015, HPAAC initiated an Arts Scholarships for Kids program. This program provides funds for area children to take lessons in art, music, dance, and other types of art. HPAAC initiated the conversation between ArtSpace and Hastings in 2013 and has been a steady voice of support since the beginning of this process. In 2016, ArtSpace finished the construction of a 37-unit building along the Mississippi River that is home for artists.

How can you support HPAC?

If you believe that the arts are important in our community, please donate or attend and support the HPAC Annual gala.

2022 HPAC Board

Board Members

PositionNameBiography
TreasurerNorthard, ScottPrior to retirement in April 2018, Scott Northard was the Fleet Vice President, Nuclear for the Xcel Energy Nuclear Generation Department in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He worked for Xcel Energy for over 40 years’. Northard earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1977 from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Scott lives in Hastings, MN with his wife Jackie, and has 2 adult children and is heavily involved in community activities. He is a member of the Hastings Rotary Club, serves on the Carpenter Nature Center Board and the Hastings-Prescott Area Arts Council. Board. He is also the past Chair of DARTS, a non-profit agency serving seniors and others in Dakota County.
SecretaryJohnson, Casey HCasey H. Johnson: resides in Prescott, WI, where she chairs the local Prescott Arts Commitment Team (PACT) and manages the Prescott Performing Arts Center. Originally from North Carolina, she has lived in Prescott for a few years with her husband and three step kids and owns her own event planning firm.
PresidentO'Keefe, KathyKathy O'Keefe has been teaching for 30 years in special education, with a focus on students on the autism spectrum. She currently teaches at Hastings Middle School. Kathy is excited to serve on the HPAAC board and to continue the good work of promoting arts in our community.
WebmasterPlevell, Ali
Board MemberHarriage, MichaelMichael Harriage was born 1947. He earned a Degree in general business administration at University of Arizona. He is a retired USAR Captain. Michael married in 1969 and has two children 47 and 43. Michael has sold heavy construction / earthmoving / mining equipment and high tech medical equipment. Music remains big part of Mike’s life. He played in band in grades 5-12 and enjoys most types of music including Symphony, Opera, Big Band, Jazz, Blues, Rockabilly, and 1950-1975 Rock and Roll.
Board MemberLeBrun, BryceBryce LeBrun has been a Staff Engineer for the City of Hastings Engineering Department since April 2017. He is originally from Door County, Wisconsin and graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a minor in Land Surveying. He has always been involved in bands, playing mostly drum kit and saxophone in concert bands and small groups throughout his life and is currently a part of the River Valley Band in Hastings.
Board MemberBindman, Linda
Board MemberFoelker, Ann
Board MemberPontzer, Pam
Board MemberJohnson, Christi
Board MemberWaits, Kelsey
Board MemberNosan, Brian
Board MemberRead, Steven

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