You Can’t Have the Arts Without Artists.

Invest In Your Creative Community •2026 End-of-Year Campaign · $20,000 community goal

Artists are the workforce behind the arts.

Behind every exhibition, performance, mural, and handmade business is an artist. DAC helps those artists build the skills, connections, opportunities, and income they need to thrive.

We’re raising $20,000 through our End-of-Year Campaign to help leverage a $10,000 foundation match so we can hit the ground running in 2027.

Reaching our goal gives us a real shot at that additional grant support. The match isn’t secured yet, but your gift helps put us in a stronger position.

Help us get to $20,000.

Every gift helps build what comes next for artists.

Okay, so what are we actually building?

Here are six things your support helps move forward in 2027.

Launch the DAC Podcast

We’re building a new front door for artists.
Useful ideas, honest conversations, and practical tools will help more artists discover DAC and connect with our community before joining a program.
Build a Better Artist Hub

We’re replacing patchwork systems with one connected artist experience.
Better membership, directory, communication, and data tools will help artists find resources, opportunities, and people, while helping DAC offer more intentional support.
Make Creative Market Better

We’re making the market stronger, not adding more markets.
A covered stage, better sound and electrical systems, improved storage, furniture, umbrellas, security, and connectivity will strengthen the experience for artists and visitors.
Bring More Life Into Artpothecary

In 2027, exhibitions won’t have to stand alone.
Live musicians and layered public experiences at select Fresh Art shows will bring artists stronger audiences and give our community more reasons to discover creative work.
Grow Deeper Artist Support

Artists need more than one workshop or one opportunity.
Stronger Emerge programming, practical workforce tools, and clearer pathways will help artists learn, test, earn, and grow. Donor support helps keep that development accessible.
Connect Artists to What Comes Next

Connection should lead somewhere.
We’re building pathways to collectors, businesses, collaborators, commissions, representation, and niche opportunities, alongside artist gatherings people actually want to attend.

There’s a seat here with your name on it.

10 tables. 10 nameplates.

Give $1,000 or more to our End-of-Year Campaign and be one of the first ten donors to receive a personalized nameplate on a new Creative Market picnic table, plus your name and a quote on our 2027 Donor Wall.

Our current tables are rusty, faded, and ready for retirement. Help us give this gathering place a fresh start.

One nameplate per table. Only ten available. Gifts of $2,500+ also qualify while places remain. Every gift supports DAC’s whole mission.

Every gift helps artists build what comes next.

Choose any amount. All campaign gifts support DAC’s overall mission and are directed where they’re needed most.

Build Connection

$100
Be part of the community helping artists build relationships, confidence, and momentum.
Your gift supports DAC’s whole mission.
Open Doors

$250
Help sustain the places, people, and opportunities that move creative careers forward.
Your gift supports DAC’s whole mission.
Fuel What’s Next

$500
Help keep practical business support and creative opportunities accessible to artists.
Your gift supports DAC’s whole mission.
Take a Seat

$1,000+
The first ten qualifying campaign donors receive a picnic-table nameplate plus their name and quote on the 2027 Donor Wall.
Your gift supports DAC’s whole mission.
Build the Whole Ecosystem

$2,500+
Make a larger investment in the programs, relationships, people, and tools that help artists thrive.
Includes the $1,000+ recognition while one of the ten donor places remains available.

When artists thrive, communities come alive.

This is what elevating artists can make possible.

Connection becomes collaboration.

“This collaboration might have been inevitable from the beginning. DAC has kind of brought together artists who wouldn’t necessarily know each other.”

Mike Johnson, on his Shoreline exhibition & fashion show with Gabe Moser

One introduction can open a door.

Randee E. + Carl M. Freeman Foundation

“Randee was obviously amazing. Working with her was so much fun, and her idea for the art kit was perfect. Thank you so much for connecting us.”

Meg Wynes, Freeman Arts, on partnering with Emerge Artist Randee E. for 200+ art kits for community organization partners.

A place to belong.

Annie & Michael

“Art really is community. Art builds community. That isn’t possible without DAC and West Side Creative Market.”

Annie G. & Michael M., neighbors, donors, and Creative Market regulars