For those who know the current location of the Aurora Center For The Arts (formerly Fosston Library and Arts Center), many do not know of the buildings rich history. Built in 1948 it served the Bethel Assembly Church congregation for thirty-one years. When the church moved to its newly constructed building on Columbia Road in 1979, the art-deco style building on the corner of Foss Avenue and Fourth Street stood vacant for a short time.

In 1980, a large group of Fosston residents met and determined this building would serve Fosston and the surrounding area as a location for the library and community theater. With a $3,000 pledge from the Fosston Alumni Association and full endorsement from the Athenian Club, the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association (FCLAA) was established. Founding board members and officers were Cynthia Hoialmen, President; Bette Sather, Vice President; Irene Kemp, Secretary; Marvin Hillestad, Treasurer; Ric Sorenson, Gail Behm and Terry Stout, Directors. The personal commitment by these individuals inspired dozens of other community members to bring this creative vision to reality.

From 1981-2003, the Fosston Library & Arts Center operated out of the original building. The upstairs was used for theater, concerts and lectures while the library and gallery were in the basement. The FCLAA originated and continues to operate as Aurora Center For The Arts as a volunteer organization. The innumerable hours that were dedicated during the creation phase and the decades of committed time and resources from individuals along with support from patrons, local government and donors has made a significant contribution to the arts and culture for Fosston and the surrounding area.

In the mid-1990s, members of the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association (FCLAA) Board of Directors recognized a vital need for a facility that would support future growth and sustainability of library and arts programming in Fosston. Creating a vision of a ground floor library, an art gallery and a growing theater program, the wheels were set in motion to move forward.

A Building Committee was formed by FCLAA in 1996 to explore the possibility of building an addition that would address issues of handicap accessibility, lack of space, moisture in the basement and basic design limitations. Over the next four years the committee worked with community members, the City of Fosston, and other local organizations to explore the options for the type and size of the addition that would give the most cost-effective option.

The unique Art Deco façade of the original building, a former church, was the inspiration for the exterior design of the addition. Over 4,000 square feet of space would be configured to accommodate a library, gallery/community room, restrooms and lobby handicap accessibility to the theater. The library space would feature spaces for children and adult reading areas, computer stations, circulation desk and a staff office. Careful consideration was given to how each space would accommodate a variety of arts and library programming.

Prior to the Grand Opening of the new addition in 2003, several preliminary steps were taken to ensure the quality of the building. In the mid-1990s, members of the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association (FCLAA) Board of Directors recognized a vital need for a facility that would support future growth and sustainability of library and arts programming in Fosston. Creating a vision of a ground floor library, an art gallery and a growing theater program, the wheels were set in motion to move forward.

A Building Committee was formed by FCLAA in 1996 to explore the possibility of building an addition that would address issues of handicap accessibility, lack of space, moisture in the basement and basic design limitations. Over the next four years the committee worked with community members, the City of Fosston, and other local organizations to explore the options for the type and size of the addition that would give the most cost-effective option.

The unique Art Deco façade of the original building, a former church, was the inspiration for the exterior design of the addition. Over 4,000 square feet of space would be configured to accommodate a library, gallery/community room, restrooms and lobby handicap accessibility to the theater. The library space would feature spaces for children and adult reading areas, computer stations, circulation desk and a staff office. Careful consideration was given to how each space would accommodate a variety of arts and library programming.

In addition to design and space needs, the committee also researched funding opportunities that would support construction of the addition. Support from local government, state grants, fundraising events and contributions from individuals, families and businesses were all considered in the fund development phase.

The 21st Century Fund was established in 2000. Building Committee co-chairs Kim Wilson, Joan Dufault and Lori Balstad spearheaded this funding campaign in partnership with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. Contributions to the 21st Century Fund would not only build the new library addition to the Arts Center but create an endowment to sustain visual, performing and creative arts programming.

On June 2, 2002 ground breaking ceremonies were held for the construction of the Fosston Library & Arts Center addition. After a series of ups and downs with funding efforts, the culmination of committee efforts resulted in $260,000 raised through gifts and events, a $150,000 grant from the State of Minnesota, and a $150,000 commitment from the City of Fosston. The City of Fosston issued a bond for the project so work could begin. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in the spring of 2003 to celebrate the completion of a beautiful, functional and inspiring space that would support the arts and enrich the lives of patrons for years to come.

In the nineteen years that have passed since the completion of the new addition, arts programming has expanded to a point in time where additional needs must be addressed. Successful theater productions have created an awareness of space needs, both on and off-stage, including handicap accessibility to the stage area. In addition to theater productions, the FCLAA, now Aurora Center For The Arts, offers music concerts and literary presentations and the Fosston School District utilizes the theater for its Third Grade Musical and One-Act Play performances.

Recent musical productions have brought sell-out crowds for the Summer Children’s Theater and the Winter Community Theater. This support has provided the opportunity for actors, musicians, set designers, sound and light technicians with a rewarding involvement in theater productions. While volunteer actors contribute extensively to the success of the productions, it has been gratifying to be able to offer stipends to the directors, choreographers, musicians and technical staff to bring the caliber of our performances to a high level.

The theater stage has restrictions that include limited space, lack of handicap accessibility, and the inability to install appropriate stage curtains for a maximum performance impact. Any modifications to the stage will also impact other theater needs including auditorium seating, space for orchestra, costume storage, backstage space, actors’ accessibility to restrooms, backstage entrance and outside entrances.

To address these needs, the FCLAA Board of Directors and City of Fosston are considering the feasibility of making structural changes and modifications to the performance space that would accommodate the current and future needs of the organization and its artists, patrons and supporters.

This is another exciting phase of providing quality library services and arts programming to the Fosston community and surrounding area. What began as a few shelves in the school library in 1930s, to the purchase of a building in the 1980s, to the addition of a one-level library and art gallery in the 2000s, the Aurora Center For The Arts continues to move forward to ensure quality musical, cultural, literary and arts programming for all.