Durham is home to a wonderful variety of artists and arts organizations. Have you ever thought about the role of the buildings where their art and programs are developed and presented?

Even with the ever-increasing online, on-demand offerings, the live arts event is still a unique and powerful experience. To have a live experience, you need a location. Research has indicated that in addition to traditional arts venues such as theaters, galleries and museums, the presence of community arts center facilities is a vital component for the growth of a local arts community, and communities that have one have a competitive advantage.

According to a 2006 study by Ann Markusen and Amanda Johnson, funded by The McKnight Foundation and the University of Minnesota, the presence of arts center facilities dedicated to supporting and showcasing artists and the arts are vital to the development of artists' careers and a region's ability to attract and retain high concentrations of artists. The study says "the creation of dedicated centers where artists can learn, network, get and give feedback, exhibit, perform, and share space and equipment ... not only serve artists but contribute to economic and community development in their respective regions."

In the study, arts centers are defined as having space for gathering, meetings and events, and free admission to enjoy the public space; professional equipment and affordable space for work, rehearsal, performance and exhibition; funding for artists and organizations based on merit and need; classes at all levels of expertise; mentoring and technical assistance; information resources, plus leadership and teaching opportunities.

We are proud that the Durham Arts Council at 120 Morris St. fits every criteria of the arts center as heralded in the Markusen/Johnson study. DAC is a central, accessible public venue to share and showcase the artistic expressions of our diverse community. By national standards, the DAC facility is an extraordinary resource for a city the size of Durham. It is one of a handful of public, multi-use arts facilities in the state. DAC attracts artists and audience of all ages from the Triangle and beyond and has a 55-year history of nurturing and supporting artists and arts organizations.

This historic facility is Durham's oldest building in continuous public service since 1906. Through a visionary public/private partnership of the Durham Arts Council, the City of Durham and Durham County, the city-owned building was renovated in 1988 to create a 52,000 square foot professional home for the arts. An ongoing partnership with the City of Durham funds approximately 30 percent of Dace's operating budget. DAC today serves 300,000 visitors and program participants annually, operates seven days a week, hosts nearly 5,000 events annually, and supports and showcases hundreds of teaching and exhibiting artists and 30 arts organizations that operate from the facility. Annually, DAC is the third most visited facility in downtown Durham.

This October we celebrate Arts and Humanities Month, this building's 103rd year of service, and its 21^st anniversary as an arts center.