112 E 11th . Hays, Kansas . 785-625-7522
HAYS ARTS CENTER
Monday - Friday from 10am to 4pm
Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
TO THE STARS
Aug 22-Oct 3, 2025
exhibitions, programs & events
Five State Photography Exhibition
The 2025 Five State Competition is now open for entry. This annual photography exhibition is the result of submissions by photographers in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri & Colorado. John Finch will serve as juror, selecting 150 photographs for exhibition and determining cash awards totaling $1,500. 2025 competition info, fillable entry form & previous years' exhibitions available through link below.
"for the Heart of Hays"
A capital campaign is underway to renovate and expand the physical operations of the Hays Arts Council, which include the current Hays Arts Center building at 112 E. 11th and the HAC Annex at 1010 Main. For information on the project and ways to participate, follow the link below.
Vanishing depths
Born and raised on the island of Cyprus in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Diana Unrein has always been most at home near the water and is a lover of all things aquatic. Her oil paintings merge realism with abstraction - and extending her work three-dimensionally, Diana's ceramic sculptural series aims to create a dialogue about our current climate crisis. This exhibition has closed, but you can view works, artist statement & bio through the link below
Summer youth art program
Join us for some great summer fun as we get creative in June & July. Check out our classes & workshops in acting, theatre & music, arts & crafts, ceramics, weaving, guitar lessons, and more through the link below!
Smoky Hill Art Exhibition
The 2025 annual juried exhibition was curated by Jay Nelson, who selected the exhibited 57 works from 276 entered by Kansas artists, & awarded $3,000 in cash prizes. Gallery & works images, the juror's statement, and scenes from the Spring Art Walk, at the link below. The 2026 Smoky Hill will be announced in early January.
FAmous Figures Project
Open to 5th grade students in Ellis County public & private schools, this "living history" project promotes the use of research skills, awareness of, and appreciation for, the positive role models, thinking and writing in a creative manner, and developing acting and public speaking skills. Follow the link for 2025 info and photos, video, & winners from previous years.
Creative Writing Contest
Ellis County students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, through their teachers or independently, are invited to submit prose & poetry works to this annual competition. The FHSU English Department serves as the judging panel and an award ceremony is held in late spring. Follow the link below for 2025 project info & publications of previous winning works.
Membership Matters!
Membership has always been the foundation of the HAC's existence and we would be honored to include you as we continue our commitment of cultural service with community art walks, exhibitions, family theatre experiences, classes, school programming, cultural resources, and more!
"A Quiet America" & "Back to Hays"
The 1976 Swiss documentary on Hays, Kansas is now available for viewing, as is the 2015 sequel produced by one of the original filmmakers
major operations & program support
