112 E 11th . Hays, Kansas . 785-625-7522
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  • five state
  • school & youth
    • summer classes
    • creative writing
    • famous figures
  • exhibitions
    • Elemental
    • She Is...
    • Friday & Lawrence
    • Wood, Jilg, Epp
    • Mysterious Iconography
  • Quiet America
  • More
    • Home
    • About
    • Heart of Hays
    • Smoky Hill
    • five state
    • school & youth
      • summer classes
      • creative writing
      • famous figures
    • exhibitions
      • Elemental
      • She Is...
      • Friday & Lawrence
      • Wood, Jilg, Epp
      • Mysterious Iconography
    • Quiet America
  • Home
  • About
  • Heart of Hays
  • Smoky Hill
  • five state
  • school & youth
    • summer classes
    • creative writing
    • famous figures
  • exhibitions
    • Elemental
    • She Is...
    • Friday & Lawrence
    • Wood, Jilg, Epp
    • Mysterious Iconography
  • Quiet America
Hays Arts Council

HAYS ARTS CENTER

Monday - Friday from 10am to 4pm

Saturdays from 10am to 1pm


2025 Smoky Hill Exhibition

Apr. 26 - June 7, 2025


HAC Position Opening: Executive Director

exhibitions, programs & events

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!

Summer art program

Smoky Hill Art Exhibition

This annual juried exhibition was curated by Jay Nelson, who selected this year's 57 works from 276 entered by Kansas artists, & awarding $3,000 in cash prizes. Find gallery & works images, the juror's statement, and scenes from the Spring Art Walk, at the link below.

Smoky Hill & Spring Art Walk

"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.

Heart of Hays

Five State Photography Exhibition

This 41st Annual Five State opened December 7. The Five State Exhibition is the result of a competition open to photographers in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri & Colorado. This year's juror, Dan White, selected 150 exhibited works (out of 588 submissions) and determined cash awards totaling $1,500.  The 2024-2025 Five State will run through February 12.  The complete exhibition, juror's statement, & project info are available through the link below. 

FIVE STATE PHOTOGRAPHY

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.

Famous Figures

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.

Creative Writing

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!

HAC Membership Form

"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

Quiet America history & videos

Events

Apr 26 - Jun 6

Smoky Hill Art Exhibition

10am

-

4pm

Hays Arts Center

Apr 26 - Jun 6

Smoky Hill Art Exhibition

10am

-

4pm

Hays Arts Center

Jun 20

Summer Art Walk

6:30

-

9:30pm

Downtown & FHSU

Event Details

Jun 20

Summer Art Walk

contact the HAC for info or to be included

6:30

-

9:30pm

Downtown & FHSU

Aug 22

Fall Art Walk

6:30

-

9:30pm

Hays Arts Center & Community

Event Details

Aug 22

Fall Art Walk

The Hays Arts Council Fall Art Walk will be held at multiple locations throughout the downtown area & at FHSU

contact the HAC for info or to ...

Event Details

6:30

-

9:30pm

Hays Arts Center & Community

major operations & program support

The Arts for All

The Hays Arts Council believes that the arts are essential to leading a full and productive life, and is committed to making the arts available to all, including those with physical and mental disabilities, as we work to assure the needs of all are taken into account in both physical and programming aspects of the HAC.

Contact Us

Hays Arts Council

112 E. 11th Hays, Kansas

(785) 625-7522

Hours

Monday - Friday: 10am - 4pm

Saturday - 10am - 1pm   

Get in Touch!

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Hays Arts Council

112 East 11th Street - Hays, Kansas 67601

785.625.7522

Copyright © 2024 Hays Arts Council - All Rights Reserved.

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