The Chanute Art Gallery was founded in 1973 by a group of women with a vision of a strong arts community in Chanute. After having been located in the Tioga Hotel and the Bailey Bank Building the Gallery has been located at 17 N. Lincoln for more than 30 years. Four buildings were combined to create the current space. Elinor, Ellie, Mccoy was the driving force for the first 40 years. Since 2013 the Gallery has be directed by a nine member working Board of Directors.

The purpose of the Gallery is to support and encourage the advancement of the arts in Chanute and the surrounding area; to collect, preserve, maintain, and exhibit the collections and works of art therein which are held in trust for the benefit of Chanute and the surrounding area.