Erica Kelso, Alicia Murphy & Emilia Gatti

At the St. Lawrence County Arts Council (SLC Arts), we believe community doesn’t happen by accident.

It takes vision, dedication, collaboration, and people who are willing to invest in the places they call home.

As a multidisciplinary arts nonprofit organization serving St. Lawrence County, SLC Arts is led by three women working together to make the arts an accessible and meaningful part of everyday life throughout the North Country.

As Executive Director Erica Kelso, Grants & Services Manager Alicia Murphy, and Program Coordinator Emilia Gatti work to serve artists, residents, and community partners, they bring their individual strengths together to support a shared mission: enriching the vibrancy of the North Country by cultivating arts appreciation and inspiring creative expression.

“SLC Arts holds an important place in the community,” says Murphy,  “The Creative Spirit Arts Center is recognized as a safe and welcoming space for the community to come together to learn, create, inspire, and be inspired.”

The work of SLC Arts extends far beyond gallery walls.

Throughout the year, the organization supports local artists through exhibitions, professional development, and grant opportunities; provides hands-on arts education for young people; creates opportunities for community members to experience and participate in the arts; and brings public art and creative programming into shared spaces.

From the NoCo Arts Festival and the annual Studio Tour to youth programs, community exhibitions, and public art initiatives, SLC Arts works to ensure that creativity has a place in the lives of people throughout our region.

Operating an arts organization in a rural community requires resourcefulness, adaptability, and strong local relationships.

More than 90% of SLC Arts’ operating funds come from local sources, including donors, grants, and program participants.

This reflects how deeply the organization’s work is connected to the community it serves, while also highlighting the importance of continued local investment.

As women working in the nonprofit and arts sectors, we understand that meaningful community work depends on both big-picture vision and the day-to-day commitment to make that vision a reality.

We are proud to help create opportunities for artists, young people, and community members to connect, learn, share their work, and discover new perspectives through the arts.

As SLC Arts looks toward the future, we invite local businesses, individuals, and community partners to be part of what comes next.

Supporting the arts is an investment in local talent, community connection, and the creative vitality of the North Country.