Friends of the Dougherty Arts Center (FODAC) has launched a web-based campaign to collect petition signatures and letters to City Council among other action items to “Save the Dougherty”. An in-person community meeting is planned for September 17th, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road, to update supporters on the status of the building replacement project.

 

The building the DAC has resided in since its inception is a 1940s Naval Reserve Facility in rapid decline and in 2010 the existing facility underwent a conditions assessment by the MWM Design Group, which determined it was untenable. In March of 2024, City officials of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department presented to Council a plan to eliminate the completed building design and construction documents for the new Dougherty Arts Center, which would require beginning the project’s community engagement process and building design again.

 

Approximately $4.6 million has been expended to date on the completed design. The reasoning behind this proposed change was that the current design was insufficiently funded following the addition of a Council mandated parking garage and the impact of inflation in the construction industry.

 

Laura Esparza, retired Division Manager of the Parks Division of Museums and Cultural Programs, will update the public on the options that have recently been proposed to City Council at the community meeting on September 17th. A timeline for completion of the decision-making process has not been announced, pausing the progress of the 17-year-old project. Former City management proposed shutting down the DAC’s gallery and theater programs to build the facility within the remaining funds in the DAC’s capital budget, which would eliminate major components of the arts center. Therefore, FODAC has undertaken this campaign to encourage signatures on its petition and letters to Council Members as posted on friendsofdougherty.com.

 

This support will encourage City Council to complete the Dougherty Arts Center’s building as planned with additional funding to be generated through a 2026 General Obligation bond package. Local artist and FODAC committee member Angelina Zulas said, “Starting all over again isn’t a timely or cost-effective solution. The process will only lessen the DAC’s capital budget and programs will have to be eliminated. This is not acceptable.”

 

The Dougherty Arts Center has been a primary generator of visual arts and theater activity in Austin since 1978. The DAC is considered, by many, to be an essential community resource that supports artists of all ages with hands-on arts training, professional development workshops for artists, plus theater performance and gallery exhibition opportunities. 

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