A report titled "Lower Naugatuck Valley Arts and Cultural Assessment" was prepared by Maryann Ott and released in September 2000. The report was commissioned by the Alliance for Economic Growth and received initial financial support from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Administrative support was received from The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the study was to conduct an arts and cultural assessment of the Lower Naugatuck Valley to determine the need for the establishment of a regional valley arts service agency. Another goal of the research was to gain insight into the type of art that takes place within the valley community and the degree to which that art is produced.

The findings of the assessment make it clear that there exists a vibrant arts and cultural faction within each of the seven valley towns. This artistic movement was generally occurring on an individual basis with most artists working and discovering art in a somewhat isolated and independent way. This aspect of how art was being produced and experienced greatly limited its visibility and availability to the community. What was lacking was not the availability of talented artists or community interest in the arts, but simply a means by which artists could find other artists and the community could find art.

The Valley Arts Council was formed in January 2001 for the purpose of creating a connecting thread between local artists and those interested in the arts. Our goal is to bring art to the community and the community to the arts. We intend to do so in a way that provides opportunities for collaboration and new venues for exhibition and performance. Our intent is to present greater opportunities for beginning and intermediate artists to advance in their areas of interest, while affording seasoned artists a viable and substantial platform from which to continue to progress in their art.