The Allied Arts Council of St. Joseph, Missouri exists "to bring arts and people together."  Founded in 1963, the Council is one of the oldest in the State of Missouri and is acknowledged statewide as an arts leader. In 1990, the City of St. Joseph designated the Allied Arts Council as the City's official community arts agency.  Operated with a staff of four and a volunteer base approaching 2,000, the Council takes the lead in our community in organizing, fund-raising, advocating, educating, and servicing the local arts community.

The Council provides educational programs, art exhibits, summer youth arts programs, operates the annual Trails West! arts festival and the annual Arts Fund drive benefiting nine member agencies.