Downriver Council for the Arts

To enrich the quality of life in the Downriver communities by advocating and promoting the arts and providing opportunities for involvement and participation in arts and cultural activities.

Our goal for the James R. DeSana Center for Arts and Culture and our organization out in the community is to be a multi-use, multi-generational, and multi-cultural destination arts that contributes to the expansion of the area’s economic development initiatives and provides educational opportunities for the communities into the future. The DCA serves the community in three ways – it creates opportunities for community artists to showcase their skills, it serves as a cultural resource for the community, and it serves as an educational facility.  A significant goal in the DCA’s strategic plan is to relate the arts and design programming of the Arts Center to regional economic development, not only through the creation of a destination attraction, but also by acting as a magnet for career and educational opportunities by building partnerships with educational institutions and corporations.

Founded in 1978, the Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts and cultural organization that proudly serves nearly 400,000 residents in 21 Downriver communities. The DCA’s mission is to enrich the quality of life in the Downriver communities by advocating and promoting the arts and providing opportunities for involvement and participation in arts and cultural activities. We actively support local artists and performers through artistic outreach programs and special promotional opportunities. The DCA also creates regional partnerships with other cultural organizations, schools and service clubs to promote artistic, cultural and special events throughout Southeast Michigan. We hold these activities in our Arts Center and by operating in the various cities we serve. Each program and event at the DCA seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of art and ourselves, improve skills by participants, change one’s attitude or values, give enjoyment, inspiration, and creativity. We welcome all people including youth of all ages, disabled people, underserved/minority populations, and social conscious groups.