Davis Arts Center

- 1919 F St, Davis, CA 95616

Welcome to the Davis Arts Center (DAC), a significant cultural institution and non-profit organization that has served the greater Davis community and Sacramento region since 1960. Established by a dedicated group of teaching artists, the DAC has evolved into a vibrant, multi-disciplinary gathering place where creative expression is not only taught but also celebrated. It functions as both a cherished art center and a dynamic art school, welcoming individuals of all ages and skill levels to engage with the visual, literary, and performing arts.

The core mission of the Davis Arts Center is profoundly rooted in the belief that all members of the community, especially children and families, deserve equitable access to quality arts education. This commitment extends beyond mere instruction; it aims to foster creativity, curiosity, resilience, and empathy through artistic practice. The center continually works to inspire a strong work ethic, respect for the craft, and the ability to closely examine the world, encouraging self-discovery and perseverance in the face of challenges. Through its diverse programming, the DAC strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment where art flourishes and transforms lives.

The Davis Arts Center continues to be an important community asset, actively working to rebuild and expand its role as a regional creative hub. While the center has faced challenges, including recent staffing and volunteer program changes in specific studios that have caused concern among some community members, the overarching goal remains focused on delivering quality arts education and experiences. Management is dedicated to adding new classes, rebuilding its programs, and focusing on its non-profit mission to serve the community through art. Patrons note the positive efforts to revitalize the center, highlighting new classes and the importance of the DAC as a central creative outlet for the Davis community.

Location and Accessibility

The Davis Arts Center is conveniently situated at the heart of Davis, California, making it an easily reachable destination for residents across Yolo County and the greater Sacramento area. The center’s dedicated facility, inaugurated in 1987, is located within the area of Community Park, providing a pleasant and accessible environment for all visitors.

Accessibility is a key priority at the Davis Arts Center. The facility is equipped to accommodate a wide range of needs, ensuring that the arts remain accessible to everyone. Specific accessibility features include:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot.

This focus on accessible design helps to remove physical barriers, reinforcing the center's commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to share in the making of art.

Services Offered

As a multi-disciplinary art center, the Davis Arts Center offers an extensive range of programs for youth, teens, and adults. These services are constantly evolving to meet the community's creative needs and include:

• Classes and Workshops in Visual Arts: Offerings frequently include painting (watercolor, tempura, abstract, still life), drawing (beginning and imaginative gesture), mixed media, and printmaking (relief printmaking).
• Ceramics/Clay Classes: Extensive pottery programs, including youth and adult wheel throwing (Level 1 and 2), handbuilding classes, and specialized workshops focused on functional and sculptural pieces.
• Fiber Arts and Crafts: Classes in areas such as weaving for all ages, bookbinding, soap making, and candle making.
• Performing Arts and Movement: Classes in disciplines like dance, drama, and music, including physical wellness classes such as yoga.
• Gallery Exhibitions: Hosting monthly exhibitions in the Tsao Gallery, featuring diverse works from both community-based and professional local/regional artists.
• Community Firing Service: Providing kiln firing options (Cone 06, 04, and 6 oxidation firings) for community members and artists.
• Facility Rentals: Offering affordable, adaptable studio and meeting spaces for artists, educators, non-profits, and community members.
• Youth Arts Education and Curriculum: Providing elementary school arts curriculum, such as "Discover Your Inner Artist," which is aligned with CA State Standards and used in classrooms across the Sacramento region.
• Free Community Programming: Hosting free or low-cost events in the Community Arts Studio, such as Family Open Studio hours, to ensure broader community access.

Features / Highlights

The Davis Arts Center is more than just a place for classes; it is a vital community hub with several distinct features and highlights that contribute to its unique character:

• Longstanding Community Presence: Founded in 1960, the DAC has over six decades of history serving as a leader in arts education and cultural development in the Davis area.
• Purpose-Built Facility: The 10,000-square-foot building includes dedicated studios for clay, weaving, visual art, dance, drama, and music, offering specialized spaces for various artistic endeavors.
• Tsao Gallery: A dedicated exhibition space that regularly hosts a mixture of professional and community-based artist shows, playing an active role in the region's artistic calendar, often participating in events like the 2nd Friday ArtAbout.
• Multigenerational Focus: Programming is intentionally designed for all age groups, from young children to seniors, emphasizing a multi-generational approach to creative learning and community building.
• Performance Spaces: The facility features an intimate indoor performance space and an outdoor stage, hosting events such as the annual Classical Guitar Concert Series and other community gatherings.
• Commitment to Equity: The center has an active scholarship program and has dedicated the Community Arts Studio to host free and low-cost workshops to remove barriers to participation and ensure access for all families, regardless of economic background.

Contact Information

For more information on classes, events, or general inquiries, please use the contact details below:

Address: 1919 F St, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Phone: (530) 756-4100

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing the Davis Arts Center means investing in a locally rooted institution committed to the transformative power of art. It stands out in the California region as a non-profit dedicated to arts education equity, ensuring that children and families from diverse backgrounds have access to high-quality creative experiences. The DAC is an ideal choice because it offers a centralized location for a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including highly sought-after ceramics, fiber arts, and visual art classes, all within dedicated and specialized studio spaces.

Furthermore, the center actively fosters a sense of creative community—a 'gathering place for dynamic engagement with the arts.' Whether you are a beginner looking to explore a new hobby, an experienced artist seeking studio time or a place to exhibit, or a parent searching for enriching educational activities for your children, the DAC provides a structured yet welcoming environment. While the center has navigated organizational shifts and is in a period of revitalization, its commitment to its mission, as highlighted by the enthusiastic efforts to add classes and programs, makes it a valuable and essential part of the cultural landscape in Davis and the broader Sacramento area. By participating in or supporting the Davis Arts Center, you are directly contributing to the vitality of the local arts scene and ensuring the future of accessible arts education in California.

Davis Arts Center

1919 F St, Davis, CA 95616, USA