About Us


So what's an arts council?

We are a private nonprofit dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the Triangle Region in North Carolina.




OK, So how does Durham Arts Council "support the arts"?

We help professional and amateur artists and arts organizations produce music, theatre, dance, visual, media and literary art.

We help residents and visitors find, enjoy and participate in the artistic and cultural events available in the community.

We manage the Durham Arts Council Building, a city owned, multi-purpose community arts center in downtown Durham, NC.

We operate The Clay Studio, a studio facility located at Northgate Mall (1058 W. Club Blvd Space 836) -- just a few minutes from our main facility.

We program classes in the performing, literary and visual arts for toddlers through seniors. Some of these classes are held off-site in private studios.

We work with public and private schools to provide artist residencies designed for the classroom.

We raise public and private funds to support the arts in the community.

We provide grants, information and networking for artists and arts groups.

We provide exhibit space for visual artists.

We produce CenterFest, Durham's annual street arts festival, the third weekend of September.




How long have you been here?

Founded in 1954, Allied Arts occupied several facilities before moving into the former City Hall on Morris Street in 1978, three years after changing its name to Durham Arts Council, Inc. In the mid 1980s, after a three year renovation, the city-owned building became DAC's long term home and, together with the adjacent Carolina Theatre, part of the Royall Center for the Arts in Downtown Durham.




Can I participate?

Although some restrictions may apply to our grant and exhibit programs, you do not need to be a resident of Durham to make use of our facilities or services or to take classes at the Durham Arts Council School.




Our mission statement:

Durham Arts Council, Inc. promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience and active support of the arts for all the people of our community. Durham Arts Council, Inc. makes all of its programs, facilities and services available without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, gender preference, marital status or political affiliation.

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Exhibits

The Durham Arts Council’s historic building is home to four exhibit spaces: the Allenton Gallery (on the first floor), the Semans Gallery (on the second floor), the Ella Fountain Pratt Legacy Gallery (on the second floor) and the SunTrust Bank Galleries occupied by the Durham Art Guild (also on the first floor).


Galleries are open during normal building hours, 9 am-9 pm, Monday through Saturday and 1-6 pm on Sundays.

Cascading Color

Elizabth Kellerman

In the Pre-Function Corridor of the Durham Convention Center

October 21 - April 16

Peace of Mind

Christine Hager-Braun


Allenton Gallery

March 17 – May 12

Stories from the Heartland

Rachel Campbell


Ella Fountain Pratt Gallery

February 24 - May 25

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Grants & Resources

For Artists and Arts Organizations

Durham Arts Council's Office of Artist Services provides services for artists and arts organizations through DAC’s grant programs, exhibits, Durham Art Walk, and training and information. We can help you find the DAC program that will fit your needs or suggest other resources.

Grants

DAC offers three grant programs: Emerging Artists, Season, and Facility. Each program has a different mission, set of criteria, eligibility and timeline. Scan the guidelines to find the program that is right for you.

Exhibit Procedures
& Call For Artists

Artist Services schedules 10-12 solo and special exhibits every year in the Semans and Allenton Galleries and holds an annual "Call for Artists" to select exhibits.


Details

Durham Art Walk

Held in November, the Durham Art Walk transforms downtown storefronts, businesses and studios into galleries, concert halls and treasure troves.


Details

Facility Grants

for use of rooms or theatres in the DAC building, not for cash.


Details

Ella Fountain Pratt Emerging Artists Grants

for individual artists in Durham, Chatham, Orange, Person & Granville Counties, North Carolina


Details

Season Grants

for organizations & individuals in Durham or doing a project in Durham


Details

NEW!
Career Development Resources for Teaching Artists

Register Now!
Nonprofit Organizational Management Training for Staff, Board and Volunteers

How Exhibits Are Chosen
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Jobs

Durham Arts Council Job Opportunities


Summer Arts Camp Manager

The Durham Arts Council (DAC), a leading arts agency in North Carolina, is currently seeking a Summer Camp Manager. DAC offers interdisciplinary, culturally themed summer arts camps to youth ages 5 to 12 and Teen Intensives for ages 13 to 17. Reporting to the DAC School Director, the Summer Arts Camp Manager is responsible for implementing and managing the Durham Arts Council’s Summer Arts Camp, Mini-Camp, and Afternoon Adventures programs. The Summer Arts Camp Manager will be an individual experienced in developing and implementing youth arts programs in response to diverse educational and community interests and needs. This is a full time, hourly, seasonal position from June 12 through August 25, 2017, with part-time training in the spring prior to the start of camp.


Education and Certifications

Bachelor of Arts degree or course work towards a Bachelor’s degree in child development, arts administration, arts or youth education, or related field preferred.


Experience

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong organization skills, budget administration skills, and computer skills required. Experience working with children in an education program, preferably in arts education. Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills, and great customer service skills. Proven track-record of developing, coordinating, and growing successful community arts programs required.


Qualified applicants should send resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references by February 20, 2017 to Durham Arts Council, Attn: School Director, 120 Morris St., Durham, NC 27701. E-mail applications to ltannenbaum@durhamarts.org.

Instructors for 2017 Summer Arts Cultural Camps

Durham Arts Council is seeking new instructors for our 2017 Summer Arts Cultural Camps. Specific instructor needs are a visual arts instructor for ages 5–6 and a chorus instructor for ages 7-13. Cultural Camps run 1 or 2 weeks (depending on the session) and the instructor must be available for the entire session. Each camp has a country theme and projects and performances are geared to learning about the country. A Master of Arts or Education degree is preferred, but equivalent experience is considered.


Please submit cover letter and resume to ltannenbaum@durhamarts.org. For qualified applicants, an interview will be scheduled. For more information about our camps click here.


DAC is and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Arts Job Resource Links

Americans for the Arts

Arts NC

North Carolina Arts Council

NYFA Arts Wire

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