The River Arts Center opened in 2000 as a fine arts center serving the greater Sauk Prairie community.  The original building features a 492 seat proscenium theater and the art gallery.  In September of 2023 the Leola Hall addition opened, a medium sized performance and event space featuring flexible setup options and event seating up to 240.

The River Arts Center is part of the Sauk Prairie School District, and is attached to Sauk Prairie High School. 

The River Arts Center and River Arts Inc share a history, and collaborate on some productions, exhibits, and events, but are distinctly separate entities. 

After three failed referendums to build a performing arts center in Sauk Prairie, a contingent of local advocates led by Dr. Dusty Koch and Ramona Kramer formed the non-profit organization River Arts Inc in 1997 to fundraise and advocate for a new facility.  After fundraising nearly $1 million of the $3.2 million cost, River Arts Inc was able to successfully convince the community to pass a referendum for the remaining cost.  The original River Arts Center facility opened in 2000, attached to Sauk Prairie High School and including the Theater, Art Gallery, and Main Lobby.

After construction, River Arts Inc became a presenter and art exhibit curator, and eventually opened their gallery in downtown Prairie du Sac.  While the River Arts Center is a part of the Sauk Prairie School District, River Arts Inc is a separate entity that collaborates with the River Arts Center on some events.

For a more detailed history, see River Arts Inc's history on their website.

Enabled by a generous donation of $1.5m from Leola (Lea) Culver, as part of the 2020 SPHS renovation, the addition of Leola Hall, a small multipurpose event and performance venue began construction in fall of 2022 and opened on September 9th, 2023.

An additional donation of $270,000 was made by River Arts Inc to allow completion of the backstage space, which had been proposed to become a future project due to budget issues caused by the supply shortage following the pandemic.

Lea made an additional donation of $266,000 to fund our retractable seating system.

The design of Leola Hall was conceptualized by Managing Director Nick Dingman, and fundraising was managed by Lindsey Giese at River Arts Inc.

“The Circle” is an outdoor learning space and garden, inspired by former Sauk Prairie School District music educators Karen Luher and Susan Halloway's mantras: "It's the journey...not the destination". The Circle invites visitors down a path that leads to a circular sitting area where they may choose to stop for a moment before continuing on their journey.  The 16-foot diameter circle references the act of Sue and Karen's students coming together in a circle before performances to bond and focus, a tradition that continues today. 

A music stand sculptural piece composed of old instruments was designed and created by Mt. Horeb artist, John Pahlas.  It includes the inscription, “Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible." Four curved benches surround the circular space.  At the center of the circle is a mosaic art installation by Prairie du Sac artist, Mary Dickey, which includes silhouettes of characters from musicals Sue and Karen presented over their 30+ years of teaching in the Sauk Prairie School District together. 

Simple plantings are used to make the space welcoming.  Two columnar maples decorate either side of the music stand sculpture, standing watch and symbolizing the strength and nurturing aspect of teachers such as Sue and Karen.  Opposite are three small ornamental Serviceberry trees, representing students allowed to blossom through impactful learning.

The River Arts Center would never have been possible without the support of the many donors from the Sauk Prairie community.  The "grassroots" movement to raise one third of the original construction cost from private donations is the reason the facility exists to serve the community today.  The donor board in our lobby prominently features the names of many of the donors who made the original project possible.

River Arts Inc. has managed fundraising campaigns for the River Arts Center, and has contributed more than $3 million toward the facility.   This includes the nearly $1m raised for initial construction, a 2008 campaign for our Steinway Model B grand piano, managing Lea Culver's $1.766m donation for Leola Hall, and their $270,000 donation toward Leola Hall.

The River Arts Center is home to many great performance groups, over a variety of styles.  The following groups are regulars to the River Arts Center:

• Sauk Prairie Music (Sauk Prairie School District's performing music groups)

• Sauk Prairie Dramatic Arts (Sauk Prairie High School drama)

• River Arts Inc

• Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild

• Kris Pickar's School of Dance

• Center Stage Dance Academy

• Madison Professional Dance Center

• Central Midwest Ballet

• Midwest Performing Arts

• Imagine Dance Challenge Madison Competition

• Starpower Talent Competition Madison Competition

The full policies of the River Arts Center are available to download in the River Arts Center User Manual and Policy Guide.  If you would like a paper copy, or have questions, please contact the Managing Director at director@riverartscenter.org or (608) 643-5636.

Box Office Telephone: 608-643-5676

Box Office Email: tickets@riverartscenter.org

River Arts Center Administrative Office: 608-643-5636

Managing Director Email: director@riverartscenter.org

Mailing Address: 105 9th Street, Prairie du Sac, WI  53578