The Durango Arts Center (DAC) is calling on community support NOW as it kicks off an urgent $60,000 fundraising drive over 60 days, marking its 60th anniversary since opening in 1966. From May 1 to July 1, donors are urged to chip in to sustain the vibrant arts and theater programs fueling creativity and education for local youth and adults.
Beth Lamberson Warren, DAC’s executive director, stresses that art doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because people believe in it. The funds directly support a full year of arts classes, theater productions, and vital scholarships for children ages 5 to 17. This campaign comes amid a packed May lineup designed to energize and rally the community.
Major May Events Spotlight Durango’s Creative Pulse
May is an explosive month for DAC with multiple events designed to draw visitors and donors alike. The Barbara Conrad Gallery will unveil a stunning exhibit on May 15 featuring 36 fine art quilts by New Mexico artists in an invitational show titled 4 Common Corners. Divided into three themes—“Where the Pavement Ends,” “Abandoned,” and “Hidden Life”—this exhibition will run through June 27.
Meanwhile, the Durango Youth Theater (DYT) is presenting an original musical, A Twist in Time, with performances May 15 to 17. The show revolves around kids from the “Earth 3” team journeying across time and space after winning a galactic game show. Families can catch piano virtuoso Adam Swanson performing live to accompany a special silent film screening on Mother’s Day Sunday.
10-Minute Play Festival Closes May with Edge and Variety
The excitement climaxes at the 16th annual 10-Minute Play Festival, running May 29 to 31. Eight riveting original plays, chosen from over 200 submissions, feature local actors and directors exploring timely themes with sharp humor and drama. Highlighted works include Suspended, a comedy about two strangers trapped midair in a ski gondola, alongside thought-provoking titles like HELLthcare and Don’t Shoot Your Mother.
This relentless creative energy amplifies urgency for the fundraising campaign as scholarship funding is critical to keep young participants’ dreams alive. A record number of youths are enrolled in summer arts and theater camps thanks to generous ongoing scholarships, notably supported by sponsors like the Bronson Family McDonald’s.
How You Can Help Sustain Durango’s Arts Legacy
The DAC board has rolled out a giving pyramid inviting donors at various investment levels from $10,000 to $120. Contributions already include multiple gifts at $1,000 and $250 levels, with a goal of expanding support dramatically in the coming weeks. Everyone from past members to new supporters is encouraged to join the effort.
Interested donors can visit www.durangoarts.org to contribute and learn more about tickets for ongoing shows. For scholarship sponsorships, contact [email protected] directly. Every dollar counts in keeping Durango a beacon for arts education and community connection nationwide.
Beth Lamberson Warren sums it up: “Since 1966, the DAC has been the creative heartbeat of this community—a place where imagination takes shape, children discover their voices, neighbors become artists, and audiences become family.” The clock is ticking—Durango’s arts future depends on your immediate support.
