ABOUT
Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center
222 E Drake Ave
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (334) 501-2930
- Hours: M-F: 8AM-5PM
WHO WE ARE
The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) offers many opportunities in the Auburn area to experience the visual and performing arts, entertain innovative ideas, develop new talent, and experience everything cultural our community has to offer. There are classes and workshops for all ages, art exhibits in our gallery, community theatre performances, art education programs, and special events held throughout the year that bring our cultural community together.
In 1999, the JDCAC was constructed as a multi-use facility to better serve the artistic needs of our community and provide residents and visitors with cultural programming, as well art exhibitions, theatre productions, concerts, dance recitals, lectures and workshops, and special events. The facility offers an art gallery, children's gallery, performance room, two art studios, and a conference room. The JDCAC is also available for rental and has been the site of many birthday celebrations, showers, workshops, and arts related events.
In addition to supporting local artists and performers, the JDCAC has developed a strong culture of collaboration, partnering with the Auburn Arts Association, Auburn Area Community Theatre, Auburn University / Community Orchestra, Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, and other organizations by providing fundraising assistance, studio and meeting space, exhibition opportunities, technical support, and publicity.
The JDCAC is an essential resource for creativity and education in the visual and performing arts.
Mission
To inspire and enrich our community by offering exceptional classes, performances, visual arts exhibits, and special events.
The JDCAC meets its mission by presenting programs in visual, literary and performing arts in the Auburn area.
Click on a specific program or event to find out more:
• SummerNight Downtown Art Walk
Community Theatre
The JDCAC is also home to the Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT). In partnership with the JDCAC, AACT is a non-profit organization that provides an opportunity for education and participation in the theatre community. AACT presents quality, entertaining and thought-provoking theatre experiences to our cultural community. In addition to theatrical performances, AACT provides a number of workshops and summer camps to area residents.
Make sure to visit their website at www.auburnact.org and check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AuburnACT.
Check out our calendar (link) for specific dates and times!
Partnerships
The JDCAC works with local arts organizations, museums and galleries, Auburn University, Auburn City Schools and presenters who utilize the center as a place to present performances, exhibitions, offer classes, and collaborate on art education programs and events.
•The JDCAC partners with the Auburn University / Community Orchestra whose mission is to present orchestral concerts to the citizens of Lee County and to promote awareness of orchestral music. Dr. Howard Goldstein, Professor of Music at Auburn University, serves at the Conductor. The Orchestra is open to all University students and community members based on the instrumental needs of the group and successful audition. Check out their performance schedule at www.cla.auburn.edu/music/prospective-students/ensembles/orchestra/2016-2017-performance-schedule.
•Adventures in Art is an annual art education program the JDCAC is pleased to present. All fifth grade students from Auburn City Schools are invited to the JDCAC for a day of visual and performing arts focused on a unique educational theme. Funding is made possible, in part, through grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
•The JDCAC partners with the Jule Collins Smith Museum (JCSM) of Fine Art at Auburn University. As part of an ongoing commitment to local arts education, the City of Auburn allocates annual funding to JCSM for art education programs for students of Auburn City Schools, in collaboration with the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. Funding supports, The Auburn Studio Project, a collaborative art education program for sixth grade students at Drake Middle School.