The nonprofit that helped create the James A. Michener Art Museum has a new name and a fall lineup of programs in Doylestown.

The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County, founded in 1974 as the Bucks County Council on the Arts, is now "BucksArts." The rebrand includes a new logo designed by thINK communications and a redesigned website at bucksarts.org, the organization announced Aug. 16.

"We want to create new pathways to bring the arts to our community, elevate Bucks County creatives, and support our growing community of artists, writers and performers," said board president Clifford Eberly, who also serves as senior manager of galleries and exhibitions at Bucks County Community College.

The organization's roots in Doylestown run back more than five decades. It started by hosting exhibitions and building an archive representing more than 1,500 Bucks County artists. In 1985, the council partnered with the Bucks County Commissioners to convert the former Bucks County Prison in Doylestown into an art museum. That effort led to the Michener Art Museum opening in 1988.

In the early 2000s, Katharine Steele Renninger led a steering committee that re-established the group as a countywide arts and cultural council, forging partnerships across the county.

What's coming this fall

BucksArts has three events on the calendar:

Small Works Exhibition: Work by BucksArts members goes on display Wednesday, Aug. 26 through Nov. 16 at the ArtWalk at Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital.

First Thursday Literary Salon: Thursday, Sept. 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Freeman Hall at Salem on East Court Street in Doylestown. The evening will honor the life and legacy of Julie Cooper-Fratrik, a former Bucks County Poet Laureate who died in November 2025 at age 84, according to the Bucks County Beacon. Cooper-Fratrik authored three poetry collections and taught English composition and creative writing for years. The salon is free and open to the public.

BucksArts has hosted its First Thursday Literary Salons at Freeman Hall since forming a partnership with the venue in 2021. The county is also seeking its 50th poet laureate, with applications open through Sept. 25.

Doylestown Arts Festival: Saturday and Saturday, Sept. 12–13 on State Street in downtown Doylestown. The festival, now in its 35th year, features more than 160 vendors, live art demonstrations, five stages of live music and a food court. BucksArts will make its public debut there, showcasing the new brand and artwork by its members.

Membership information and program details are available at bucksarts.org.