Organizational History

2008

Downtown Community Arts Collective was founded in May 2008 by artist Stephanie Pearl. With two founding members, Andrew Watrous and Aimee Brantley, the commitment to working with at-risk youth was made and the dcac Mission was established.

Thanks to a recommendation from Gail Newel and Kelli Beingesser, Stephanie Pearl was introduced to William Dyck, owner of the historical Ice House building located at 754 P Street in downtown Fresno. Mr. Dyck generously offered the space at a comfortable start up rate and in July 2008, under the umbrella of Genesis Family Center, dcac opened its doors giving their first series of creative workshops to Transitional Age Youth (TAY) and group home residents on July 12, 2008.

By December 2008, dcac at-risk youth arts program was serving up to 30 students twice a month, every other Saturday.

2009

In March of 2009 Downtown Community Arts Collective established their own 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

In early 2009, Leadership Fresno selected Downtown Community Arts Collective to be their 2009 class project. DCAC students in conjunction with Fresno Best worked on the Empowering Youth Through Artistic Expression project that engaged at-risk youth and underserved youth in a city wide beautification project. The final accumulation of work was a mobile artistic showcase in the form of a Fresno Area Transit bus wrap.

September 2009 Downtown Community Arts Collective was emancipated from the Genesis umbrella and began working autonomously.

By December 2009 dcac grew from four volunteer staff to ten volunteer staff.

2010

January 2010 Downtown Community Arts Collective experienced major growth and reorganization to board members, volunteers and staff.

February 2010 Downtown Community Arts Collective split into three programs: Youth Arts Program, Volunteer Program, and Exhibition Gallery.

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