Davis Arts Center — Local services in Davis

I am honestly devastated to be writing this review, but having experienced the treatment of the Davis Art Center staff in the past few weeks, I feel compelled to share my experience here. I have volunteered here at DAC in the ceramic studio for about 6 months. I truly believe in the non profit message, and as a result I donated so many hours of my time as a volunteer to the ceramic studio. Myself as well as the other volunteers contributed to the studio community, and we all constantly worked to make the studio a better place. In the last few weeks, DAC terminated the employment of the studio manager very suddenly, and gave him no chance to even wrap up his classes. Not only was this treatment cutthroat, but they continued to immediately terminate the volunteer program. The contract I signed as a volunteer was that for every hour we donated, we would be able to come in for an hour for leisure in the studio. Not only was this an opportunity to give back, but it also gave a way for lower income to “work” for a studio membership. Volunteers like myself, as well as the manager, gave the studio spirit. We completely transformed the space in the last few months. And not only have I lost dozens of hours due to the sudden volunteer program termination, but they have given zero credit to the volunteers who really made the space as special as it is and the honest work we have put into it. Furthermore, as a member of the Davis community, the treatment of other Davis community members leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This has felt like a very “corporate” move, despite is being a supposed “non profit”. Where is the care? It is even more disturbing that they went ahead and made all these changes without consulting volunteers and studio members first, especially by deciding to operate the studio without even a studio manager. Their inexperience in a ceramic studio really shows here, because regular studio upkeep is a necessity apart from basic member cleanup. I am beyond saddened to be leaving DAC, as I no longer believe that the Davis Art Center actually operates with the mission to serve the community. Their actions these last few weeks are unprofessional to say the least if not downright self destructive. What a disgrace. As a previous volunteer and more so a ceramics artist, I cannot nor would I ever recommend the Davis Art Center...

This center is really amazing, the Teachers Seem To be Highly Qualified Artists And dancers. The art shows are also of very professional high quality. The reason I gave it 3 stars is that it is a really classic defining line between the "haves and the have nots" of Davis. I find it heartbreaking how expensive each session is. They do offer a scholarship for ONE child from a qualifying family ONE session per year. The last thing I would expect someone with a genuine love and sensitivity for the arts to do is open the door to the wonderful world of creative expression for one session (about 4-5 classes) and then meet their child's accomplishment and enthusiasm with the sorry message that their family can't afford this joy. Even in the deepest throes of East Oakland, there is the EOYDC which offers free classes with highly quality instructors (one that I know is a former Alvin Ailey co member). DAVIS, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS. Why not find a way to offer the values and experiences you stand behind to others than the entitled and priveledged. This is not to say that the regular attendees are less than wonderful, but there are many wonderful people, newly immigrated or not born into family wealth, etc, who would also like to join a creative community. Economic diversity, like bio-diversity will...

This is a revered Davis institution, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Though focussed on children, there are many classes for adults and families. The catalog is a parent bible for summer camps, among other things.

Classes of every sort are open to the public from computer programming to multiple forms of art including performance, crafts and many others. There are dedicated class rooms for weaving, clay and dance. Access is made easy by the excellent staff. A...