Who We Are





Mission
Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community.
DAC is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization funded by earned revenues, grants and contributions from corporations, foundations, individuals, and support from the City of Durham, Durham County, North Carolina Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Vision
We envision a community where creativity and the arts are highly valued, positive and transformative forces in Durham’s cultural, educational, and economic life. We envision an excellent and sustainable arts and cultural sector that is vital to quality of life in Durham.
Goals
· To increase participation in high-quality arts experiences throughout the community,
· To expand arts education both in and outside of schools,
· To build an environment for artists and arts organization so that they can create and present their work, and
· To be a resource to the community for advocating, planning, and developing Durham’s arts and cultural community, creative place-making and building the creative economy
Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion and Belonging (DEAI)
Durham Arts Council celebrates the unique creativity and spirit of every person and believes in creating a vibrant, diverse, equitable and inclusive community through the arts.
DAC is committed at every level to developing, supporting, and celebrating diversity, equity, access, inclusion and belonging in our programming, services, audience, workforce, vendor relationships, board and governance as a reflection of the diverse communities we serve.
2022-23 DAC Board of Trustees
BOARD OFFICERS
Dr. Constanza Gómez-Joines
Board President
Assistant VP & Executive Director, Center for the Global Learner, Durham Technical Community College
Rick Grant
1st Vice President, Programs, Policy, + Planning Committee
General Manager, Power Generation Carolinas Operations East, Duke Energy Carolinas
Rick Jorgensen
Treasurer, Financial Operations Committee
CPA, Pless & Company
Senator Mike Woodard
Secretary, Governing/Nominating Committee
Duke University
BOARD MEMBERS
Susan Amey
President + CEO of Discover Durham
Lori Blake-Reid
Heidi Carter
Tabitha Concepcion
Dan Ellison
Chandra Guinn
Director, Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture at Duke University
Kenneth Hinton
Adjunct Instructor, Shaw University and NCCU; Artistic Director of the Agape Theatre Project
Mark-Anthony Middleton
Durham City Council Member
Appointed by Durham City Council
Marjorie Pierson
Visual Artist, Photography
Maryah Smith
Asst. Dean of Building, Engineering, and Skilled Trades, Durham Tech
Geraud Staton
Executive Director, Helius
Wade Walcott
Director, City of Durham Parks + Recreation Department
Appointed by City of Durham
Elisabeth Wiener
Independent Marketing and Advertising Professional
Staff Directory
LEADERSHIP
Sherry L. DeVries
Executive Director
sldevries@durhamarts.org
919-560-2709
ARTIST SERVICES
Margaret DeMott
Director of Artist Services
mdemott@durhamarts.org
919-560-2720
Colleen Scott
Artist Services Manager
ARTS EDUCATION
Amanda Miller
DAC School Director
amiller@durhamarts.org
919-560-2735
Janet Bell
DAC School Manager + Registrar
jbell@durhamarts.org
919-560-2726
Al Strong
director of caps
astrong@durhamarts.org
919-560-2718
Katie Starr
Arts Education Assistant Manager
kstarr@durhamarts.org
919-560-2705
DEVELOPMENT + COMMUNICATIONS
FACILITIES
Anthony Zefiretto
Director of Facilities + Visitor Services
azefiretto@durhamarts.org
919-560-2711
McKayla Walker
Assistant Manager of Facility Sales + Services
mwalker@durhamarts.org
919-560-2787
Darriel Williams
Maintenance Assistant
919-560-2724
CONTRACT SERVICES TEAM
Financial Accounting
Neal, Bradsher + Taylor PA
Angela Yearby
Michael Clonch
Joe Sullivan
Theatre Technical Support
No Regret Productions
Kevin Esprella
Patrick Lillie
IT Management
Work Smart
Security Services
Durham County Sheriff Team
Team Lead: Deputy Derrick Neville
Reports
History
Founded in 1954 to promote and nurture the arts of Durham, Allied Arts was renamed Durham Arts Council, Inc. (DAC) in 1975 when it became what is now the second oldest arts council in the United States . Three years later, the Council moved in to the historic Central High School and City Hall building, which was constructed in 1906 at 120 Morris Street in downtown Durham. In the mid-1980’s, after a three-year renovation, the city-owned building became DAC’s long term home.