Durango Arts Center

Mission:-

The Durango Arts Center provides Durango and surrounding communities opportunities to create, to promote, and to participate in diverse arts experiences.  The DAC brings people together to explore and engage in arts and culture by fostering creative expression through in-house exhibitions, performances, and educational programs for all ages and abilities.

Vision:-

The DAC strives to support a creative dialogue among community members, ensuring that culture informs local decision-making and enriches our lives.

History:-

Since 1973, the Durango Arts Center (DAC) has worked to promote the exploration, education, enrichment and enjoyment of the arts as a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization. What is affectionately known throughout the Four Corners as “DAC,” actually has a founding history rich in the support and development of the arts in the Four Corners area that reaches back more than 50 years. The DAC is the result of a confluence of two agencies – the Durango Fine Arts Council (DFAC) and the Durango Artists Association (DAA) – both created in the 1960’s to develop and promote regional activity and interest in the arts, including fine arts and cultural activities.

In 1982 the DAA and DFAC merged to operate under the name of the DFAC.

In 1991, the DFAC Board of Directors reincorporated as the Durango Arts Center (DAC), folding each founding organization’s values and vision into one “hub” for creative cultural innovation in the Four Corners. Since its inception, DAC has served as a resource to all people with an interest in the arts, and has committed itself to creating and promoting regional visual arts, theater, dance, live music, education programs and art workshops all under one roof. Over the years, DAC has built its reputation as a local arts industry leader and has been working diligently to ensure that the arts continue to thrive in the region.

In 1997, the community collaborated to fund and renovate a 17,000-square-foot building that once existed as a car dealership in downtown Durango, at the corner of East 2nd Ave and 8th Street.  The space is now home to a gallery, theater, arts library, studio space and more.