September 2002
RACI organizes an artist raffle in conjunction with the annual Al Sears Jazz Festival. Works by three prominent local artists are donated and raffled off during the festival.

October 2002
RACI provides artwork for the annual Taste of the Tri States (WIUM/WIUW) Fundraiser.

January 2003
The By-Laws of the Regional Arts Center Initiative are written and original board members are recruited.

April 2003
Phantom Art Gallery is organized and takes place in two empty downtown Macomb storefronts. Funds from a Two Rivers Arts Council grant are used to defray costs.

Spring 2003
Two local artists and one local quilter teach classes at Spoon River Community College with proceeds benefiting RACI.

July 2003
RACI application for 501(c)3 status is submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

September 2003
RACI organizes an artist raffle in conjunction with the annual Al Sears Jazz Festival. Works by three prominent local artists are donated and raffled off during the festival.

October 2003
RACI provides artwork for the annual Taste of the Tri States (WIUM/WIUW) Fundraiser.

March 2004
501(c)3 status received!
Musical event featuring Sally Weisenburg and the Famous Sidemen is held at the Tri States Public Radio Performance Studio. Reception at the Inselhaus Bed & Breakfast follows. The project is funded in part with a Two Rivers Arts Council grant.

June 2004
First Wine Tasting Benefit at Chandler’s is sponsored by the Wine Sellers with ticket proceeds donated to RACI. Local artwork is featured prominently.

September 2004
RACI organizes an artist raffle in conjunction with the annual Al Sears Jazz Festival/Gazebofest. Works by three prominent local artists are donated and raffled off during the festival.

October 2004
RACI provides artwork for the annual Taste of the Tri States (WIUM/WIUW) Fundraiser at Magnolia’s and organizes Studio Tour of downtown studio in conjunction with event.

April 2005
RACI serves as a sponsor organization for a grant application for a local labyrinth project.

June 2005
Wine Tasting Benefit at Chandler’s is sponsored by the Wine Sellers with ticket proceeds donated to RACI. Local artwork is again displayed.

October 2005
Musical event featuring Patrick Hazell held at the Tri States Public Radio Performance Studio. Reception at the Inselhaus Bed & Breakfast followed.
Artwork is provided for the annual Taste of the Tri States (WIUM/WIUW) Fundraiser held at the Forum.

November 2005
RACI is a sponsor for the labyrinth/mandala project at Project Insight School.

December 2005
Website www.regionalartscenter.org is created.

March 2006
Updated business plan drafted and passed by Board of Directors to offer more information to the community.
Board members attend Strategic Development Meeting with members of the Illinois Arts Council.

April 2006
Newspapers report on the drafting of the new business plan resulting in several requests for copies.
An Ex-Officio board is proposed consisting of local and state level dignitaries is developed

May – October 2006
WCIAC organizes and runs the successful Art in the Alleys Program held on the second Saturday of each month.

June 2006
Third Annual Wine Tasting Benefit at Chandler’s sponsored by the Wine Sellers with ticket proceeds donated to RACI.
WCIAC organizes and executes a Heritage Days Art Gallery in the former JC Penney building Downtown. Over a dozen artists take part and attendance is heavy.

July 2006
WCIAC offers Youth Art event programming during an outdoor performance of musical artist Laura Hall. The event is held in conjunction with local businesses.

Aug. 2006
Board members are invited to appear on Paul Kreider’s arts themed television program on Western Illinois University Channel 3.

Sept. 2006
Board members and local artists take part in the annual Taste of the Tri-States dinner, arranging for display of art and a tour of local artist’s gallery space.

Oct. 2006
Board members take part in community meetings with representatives of ArtSpace, a not-for-profit agency out of Minneapolis. They are looking at a development in the Macomb area.
Dec. 2006
First in a proposed series of winter dinner theater events (“Murder at Café’ Noir”) is held to great success.

Jan. 2007
Efforts commence to enable a community requested vocal education program by partially funding a graduate assistantship in conjunction with Western Illinois University.

May 2007
Fourth Annual Wine Tasting Benefit at Chandler’s sponsored by the Wine Sellers with ticket proceeds donated to WCIAC.

Sept- Dec 2007
Vocal training classes are offered to the public by WCIAC in conjunction with Western Illinois University by graduate student Matt Brown. WCIAC funds 1/3 of the instructor’s assistantship using raised funds

Dec. 2007
Winter dinner theatre presentation of “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” is presented in conjunction with Chandler’s. Funds raised go toward WCIAC operations and projects.

Feb. 2008 – June 2008
Vocal training classes continue to be offered to the public by WCIAC in conjunction with Western Illinois University by graduate student Matt Brown. WCIAC funds 1/3 of the instructor’s assistantship using raised funds. Attendance numbers are up and the organization realizes a greater return on this offering.

Feb. 2008
A storefront theatre presentation of “The History Boys” is presented at Taylor’s Hall for Events. Reaction is overwhelmingly positive with unsolicited praise appearing in local papers from attendees. The production is staged entirely by volunteer actors looking for a performance space in accordance with the organization’s charter. Funds raised go toward WCIAC operations and projects.

April 2008
The donated properties owned by WCIAC are auctioned for a total sale price of $80,000.00. Once all expenses are paid the organization realizes over $34,000.00 clear which brings the treasury to over $40,000.00.

June 2008
Fifth Annual Wine Tasting Benefit sponsored by the Wine Sellers with ticket proceeds again donated to WCIAC.