The Whakatane District Community Arts Council was formed in the early 1980s. It is an umbrella arts organisation for the Whakatane District, made up of representatives of various arts groups and interested individuals.

It distributes small grants of up to $1,000 from Creative Communities New Zealand funding on behalf of the Whakatane District Creative Communities Committee. It meets on the third Wednesday of each month and new members are welcome to attend the AGM to be held in July.

The WDCAC is the principal organiser of the Whakatane Summer Arts Festival (approaching its 25th Anniversary) and the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award for Painting and Drawing, (currently in its 24th year).

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