The Isaacs Art Center was created to serve as a cultural force benefiting the Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (HPA), Waimea, and Big Island communities. It is a part of HPA and provides a venue for people to donate appreciated art and receive the benefits of a charitable donation.
The mission of the Isaacs Art Center is to raise money for the benefit of HPA students while giving the community access to art and sculpture and providing students and parents living on the island a cultural learning experience. It contains a large permanent collection of paintings, furniture, rare books, and Hawaiiana. A section of the art center operates as an art gallery, and a variety of work is offered for sale. The funds generated by these sales are used to support the HPA Scholarship Fund.
The building that houses the Isaacs Art Center was built in 1915 as Waimea’s first public school structure. It was moved to its current location in June 2002 and in March 2003, was placed on the State Register of Historic Places. The restoration was completed in March 2004. In May 2003, the building received the prestigious 2003-2004 Historic Preservation Award from the Historic Hawai'i Foundation. In 2005, the building was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The art center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
