The Fine Arts Festival began in 1957 on recommendation from the Wisillminowas (WIMI) organization.  The intent was to promote music, drama, art, and literature at Luther College through a variety of exhibitions and speakers.  One important part of the Fine Arts Festival was the professional art exhibit and competition; Luther College purchased approximately 100 works of art from these competitions.  Although the campus-wide events ended in 1963, the Luther College art faculty continued the art exhibit and competition until 1968.