About Us
The ARC & ARCafé:
Community Learning Center & Local Foods Market
The ARC strengthens and supports our island community by creating opportunities for people to connect; by mentoring students as they develop life skills through hands-on learning; and by promoting innovative enterprise to diversify the economy of Vinalhaven.
Located on the unbridged island of Vinalhaven, the Arts & Recreation Center (ARC) was initially founded in 1981 as an unstaffed space available for year-round community activities. In 2008 the organization experienced a transformation both physically and philosophically. With the help of dedicated students and community volunteers the ARC raised funds to hire staff, implement community programs, and aid in the construction of the ARCafé (social enterprise), a café, local foods market, and place-based training facility for young islanders.