Thursday, February 6, 2025

DAC Season and Durham Arts Catalyst Grants

Applications Now Open

Season Grants and Durham Arts Catalyst Grants provide vital support for arts nonprofits based in Durham County, funding both operating and project expenses. Applicants may request cash assistance and/or use of space in the DAC building, with priority given to organizations whose core mission is the arts. These grants help sustain and strengthen Durham’s vibrant arts community.

Key Dates for Applicants:

• February 1, 2025: Applications Open
• Thursday, February 6, 6 PM: Catalyst Grant Information Session (zoom)
• Tuesday, February 11, 6 PM: Season Grant Information Session (zoom)
• April 7, 2025: Applications Due

Both grant programs fund programs and activities that take place between July 1,2025 and June 30, 2026.

For questions and to receive a link to an information session email Margaret DeMott at mdemott@durhamarts.org.

These grant programs are supported by contributions to the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund and the North Carolina Arts Council,

a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

These grant programs are supported by contributions to the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund and the North Carolina Arts Council,

a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Welcome Mïa Vollkommer Our New School Registrar

We are excited to welcome Mïa to the DAC team! She joins us with years of experience as an arts administrator from positions at The George Washington University, The National Gallery of Asian Art (DC), The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Arts Council of New Orleans, AKAR Gallery (IA), and The University of Utah. Most recently, she held the title of Program Manager for Studio Arts & the Art Collector’s Program at Smithsonian Associates, where she was instrumental in converting in-person programs to online offerings at the start of, and throughout, the pandemic. Mïa has her MFA in Fine Art Photography and is a jewelry artist and instructor through her business, 2 dots over the i. She sells her handcrafted jewelry online and at arts festivals, and she has been teaching jewelry making techniques for the Smithsonian and other institutions for more than 20 years.

Mïa (which rhymes with papaya) is a new transplant to Durham, where she lives with her boyfriend and their two cats, Chicory and Roux.  When not making jewelry, Mïa enjoys sewing her own clothes, travelling to new places, and watching movies – especially those starring Godzilla.

Mïa is taking over for Janet Bell, who is retiring from her full-time role as DAC School Manager and Registrar after 34 years. Janet will be staying on at the DAC in a part-time role for the next 6 months or so. Show your love for Janet by supporting the Janet Bell Scholarship Fund to ensure kids and adults of all means can continue to explore their love of the arts in a supportive environment inspired by Janet’s impact.

Reach out to welcome Mïa by emailing her at mvollkommer@durhamarts.org

CenterFest 2025 Artist Vendor Application is Open

Online Pottery Auction-Legacy of Skip Cunningham 

Closes February 17

Slyvia “Skip” Cunningham became a vital part of the DAC Clay Studio in 2000, first as a student and later as a longtime studio assistant, generously sharing her knowledge and passion for ceramics. Following her passing, her estate donated a large collection of her work to DAC, with auction proceeds directly supporting the DAC Clay Studio and arts education programs. Her beautiful pottery is on display at DAC, and the online auction remains open until February 17—offering a chance to own a piece of her legacy while supporting the arts in Durham.

Skip’s handcrafted ceramics make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for any art lover!

Job Opportunities

In the Galleries

On view in the Allenton and Semans Galleries through March 10: Viva la Vida ante la Adversidad / Live Life in the Face of Adversity, the annual exhibit by the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (ILAAC).

This powerful exhibition reflects on the collective challenges of 2024—spanning political, social, and migration issues—while celebrating the resilience and cultural richness of the Latin American community. Featuring works by Pepe Caudillo, Luis MacKinney, Antonio Alanis, Lety Álvarez, Peter Marín, José Manuel Cruz, and Cornelio Campos, the exhibit offers a profound and diverse exploration of how art captures adversity and tradition. Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of creativity and perseverance.

Art: Leticia Alvarez ” Fuerza Mexico (Be Strong Mexico)” by 

Vote DAC for Durham Magazine’s Best of Durham

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