In 1964, Robert E. Gard founded the nationally known School Of The Arts at Rhinelander by hosting about 50 students and six writing instructors in the Northwoods for the first SOA writing class. Gard was an innovative and influential founder, author and University of Wisconsin Madison and Extension Professor.

In 1967, Gard wrote and received the first large grant made available by the National Endowment for the Arts in rural communities. SOA was one of the grant projects and was structured on Gard’s core beliefs: to help people grow as artists in a supportive environment, the power of individual expression through the arts, and bringing the resources of the University of Wisconsin to the citizens of the state. With the help of key Rhinelander locals, including Rhinelander School District Superintendent Ced Vig, SOA grew into a one-week program attended by hundreds of students and instructors. Curricula then grew from a focus in writing to encompass many other art forms.

In 2015, the University of Wisconsin Continuing Studies department held the last SOA, ending a 50 year tradition.

With the help of statewide partners and sponsors, ArtStart rekindled the program and in 2017, launched the first ArtStart School Of The Arts Legacy Program, a version of SOA on a smaller scale.

Since 2017, the program has grown and ArtStart has added more classes each and opportunities for participants to share their craft. In 2018, ArtStart joined forces with the Northern Arts Council for attendees to attend the Northern National Art Competition Reception and in 2019, ArtStart collaborated with WXPR, the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, Nicolet Area Technical College, and the Masonic Lodge to plan Project North as part of the experience.