Dougherty Arts Center

Dougherty Arts Center The Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) is an award-winning cultural arts center in the heart of Austin, TX.

The Dougherty Arts Center is home to a 2400 Art Gallery, a 150 Seat Theater, a robust Studio Arts program for youth and adults and a Community Arts Outreach program.

Experience Light, a one-women play by Snow (Xue Zheng) at the Dougherty Arts Center.Thursday, May 28 – Saturday, May 30,...
05/27/2026

Experience Light, a one-women play by Snow (Xue Zheng) at the Dougherty Arts Center.

Thursday, May 28 – Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 4 – Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Light is a one-woman play that blends deeply personal storytelling, music, and the visual poetry of traditional Chinese shadow puppetry. This innovative solo play tells the story of a daughter’s journey to understand her father through memory, distance, loss, and love. It is deeply personal, yet powerfully universal.

After moving audiences in Beijing, Harbin, New York, and Austin, Light (光) returns to the Dougherty Arts Center as an intimate solo performance written, directed, and performed by Snow (Xue Zheng).

Learn how to nurture your inner artist and restore a sense of freedom and wonder to your artistic practice.This workshop...
05/20/2026

Learn how to nurture your inner artist and restore a sense of freedom and wonder to your artistic practice.

This workshop is for artists who feel critical of their process or are stuck in a box they want to break out of. It was designed for those who feel the pressure of producing art that is accepted by the public but might not be authentic to themselves. Attendees will learn practical exercises they can do every day to nurture their inner artist, restore a sense of freedom and wonder to their practice, and take away exercises they can share with others.

Presented by Rhodalynn Jetton

Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite: https://FreeingYourCreativePractice.eventbrite.com

Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia Recreation Center is partnering with The Dougherty Arts Center to host Art in Cahoots on Friday,...
05/15/2026

Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia Recreation Center is partnering with The Dougherty Arts Center to host Art in Cahoots on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 10-11 a.m.

Art in Cahoots activities are free, led by Austin Artists, and designed specifically for children ages 2.5-5 years of age working cooperatively with an accompanying adult caregiver. This is a great way to collaborate creatively with your child and connect with your community through the arts!

Spots are limited, so register in advance to save your spot at artincahoots.eventbrite.com!

“Realms” by Victoria Majesta Marquez, “Morphology & Modularity" by Jamie Spinello and Kristen Van Patten, and “Land and ...
05/14/2026

“Realms” by Victoria Majesta Marquez, “Morphology & Modularity" by Jamie Spinello and Kristen Van Patten, and “Land and Sea” by Anita Horton and Charlotte Seifert are on display at the Julia C. Butridge Gallery beginning Saturday, May 16, 2026.

“Realms” presents a vibrant exploration of nature and surrealism, drawing inspiration from oceans, animals, and microscopic life, to create imagined realms filled with fluid, ever-shifting patterns and textures.

“Morphology and Modularity” is a dual exhibition of sculptures, paintings, and ceramics by Jamie Spinello and Kristen Van Patten. Both artists create abstract works, which draw inspiration from their separate interests but related working methods. Spinello is inspired by the relationships between structures of plants, insects, and geological structures, and Van Patten from relationships between architecture, mechanics, and landscape.

“Land and Sea” features the work of Anita Horton and Charlotte Seifert, whose practices engage deeply with natural realms from complementary perspectives. Their combined work demonstrates a love for Texas, its people, and their activities, on both land and sea, as it explores the dynamic relationship between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Image 1:Victoria Majesta Marquez, “Inkblot”, 2025, Acrylic on canvas
Image 2:
Left: Jamie Spinello, “Proteanopsis”, 2024, Fabric and steel
Right: Kristen Van Patten, “Analagous Signals”, 2023, Stoneware
Image 3:
Left: Anita Horton, State Highway 71, 2024, Acrylic on Stonehenge Paper
Right: Charlotte Seifert, Sunset, 2025, Monotype

The Creative Reset: Phase 2 ✨ ACME is continuing its Creative Reset with a new round of virtual community focus groups, ...
05/13/2026

The Creative Reset: Phase 2 ✨

ACME is continuing its Creative Reset with a new round of virtual community focus groups, and we want to hear from YOU! 🎤💬

Join ACME leadership and community members as we talk about the future of our cultural facilities, museums, and entertainment complex. Your voice will help shape how these spaces grow, evolve, and better serve our community. 🌱🏛️

Virtual Focus Group Dates (via Zoom):
• Tue, May 19 | 12–1 PM
https://zoom.us/j/98797374446
• Wed, May 20 | 12–1 PM
https://zoom.us/j/99201223652
• Wed, May 20 | 6–7 PM
https://zoom.us/j/93156310967

We’ll be discussing:
• 🕒 Hours of operation
• 🎭 Programming & services
• 📝 Rental fees & processes
• 🤝 Partnerships & collaborations
• 🎉 Events & activations
• 🔧 Opportunities for improvement

Why it matters:
Your feedback will directly influence how ACME enhances access, improves operations, and strengthens cultural experiences across all our facilities. 🌟

Choose the session that works best for you — each meeting covers the same topics.
We hope to see you there! 🙌

05/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 6th annual Art-O-Rama! A special thank you to all the community partners and volunteers who helped make this Art-O-Rama one of the best yet!

The Ruiz Branch Library is partnering with The Dougherty Arts Center to host Art in Cahoots on Friday, May 15, 2026 from...
05/08/2026

The Ruiz Branch Library is partnering with The Dougherty Arts Center to host Art in Cahoots on Friday, May 15, 2026 from 10-11 a.m.

Art in Cahoots activities are free, led by Austin Artists, and designed specifically for children ages 2.5-5 years of age working cooperatively with an accompanying adult caregiver. This is a great way to collaborate creatively with your child and connect with your community through the arts!

Spots are limited, so register in advance to save your spot at artincahoots.eventbrite.com!

Enjoy the musical and visual spectacle that is Austin Samba at the 6th annual Art-O-Rama on Saturday, May 9 from 1-4 p.m...
05/08/2026

Enjoy the musical and visual spectacle that is Austin Samba at the 6th annual Art-O-Rama on Saturday, May 9 from 1-4 p.m.

Austin Samba is a community educational and performance group of drummers and dancers that perform with styles ranging from Rio to Bahia bringing the music, movement, color, pageantry and joy of Carnaval to events throughout Austin.

Art-O-Rama is free and open to all ages.

RSVP for Art-O-Rama on Eventbrite: https://ArtORama2026.eventbrite.com

Address

1110 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX
78704

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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