In the spring of 1975, Dr. Frederick J. Stokley, Superintendent of the Waltham High Schools, invited over one hundred people to attenda series of meetings with the purpose of forming an Arts Council in Waltham. Subsequently, an acting Board of Directors was formed and began working on the tasks of writing By-Laws, becoming incorporated as a non-profit organization with tax exempt status, planning for an Arts Festival, presenting art programs, publicizing art events in the community and seeking funds.
In October, and afternoon tea was held at the Robert Treat Paine House attended by over three hundre people to publically announce the formation of the Waltham Arts Council.