The Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience and active support of the arts for all people of our community. A can’t-miss spot for art lovers includes the Durham Arts Council, a local hub for arts and culture. Stroll through award-winning exhibition galleries and their sculpture garden with seasonal floral plantings. Steps away, you’ll find the two-story Durham Civil Rights Mural painted by more than 30 community members.
The building that houses The Durham Arts Council was formerly city hall, and before that it was 1906 Central High School.
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Hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 1:00 – 6:00 PM
A Beacon of Culture in Durham: The Arts Council's Latest Triumph
In the heart of downtown Durham, at 120 Morris Street, the Durham Arts Council continues to prove itself an indispensable cultural anchor for the region. The council's latest exhibition, "The Sun Is Not Yet at Its Peak," exemplifies the institution's commitment to presenting art that engages deeply with community while pushing aesthetic boundaries.
The venue itself deserves special attention. Housed in a building that hums with creative energy from 9 AM to 9 PM most days, the Arts Council has masterfully transformed its gallery spaces into a contemplative environment that serves the artwork without overwhelming it. Track lighting casts precise illumination on the works, while the grey carpeting and neutral walls create an ideal backdrop for the vibrant pieces on display.
This thoughtful architectural framework provides the perfect setting for the current exhibition, which stands as one of the Council's most cohesive shows to date. The centerpiece, a large-scale painting depicting four figures in a greenhouse setting, resonates particularly well within the Council's mission of supporting art that speaks to community engagement and social progress. The work's agricultural themes and focus on collective labor echo Durham's own transformation from a tobacco town to a hub of sustainable innovation.
The Council's curatorial team has made excellent use of the space's flow, creating meaningful dialogues between different mediums. Three-dimensional works on pedestals punctuate the journey through the galleries, while geometric abstractions in pastel hues provide visual respite from the more socially charged figurative pieces. The installation demonstrates why the venue has earned its stellar 4.7 rating on WeddingWire – the space is versatile enough to serve both as a serious art venue and as a gathering place for community events.
What's particularly striking about this exhibition is how it aligns with the Council's broader programming goals. Like their annual CenterFest and Durham Artists at Work initiatives, this show celebrates local talent while engaging with universal themes. The inclusion of documentary-style photographs alongside more experimental works mirrors the Council's balanced approach to arts education and community engagement.
The exhibition's emphasis on environmental stewardship and collective action feels especially relevant given the Council's role as a non-profit organization dependent on community support. Through grants, donations, and membership fees, the institution has maintained its position as a cultural cornerstone while continuing to push artistic boundaries.
The Council's extended hours (including Sunday afternoons from 1 PM to 6 PM) make this show accessible to working professionals and families alike. The friendly, professional staff, long noted in visitor reviews, enhance the experience with their knowledge and enthusiasm for the works on display.
"The Sun Is Not Yet at Its Peak" exemplifies what makes the Durham Arts Council special: its ability to present challenging, socially engaged art while maintaining its role as a welcoming community space. In doing so, it reminds us why supporting local arts institutions remains crucial for cultural vitality.
As Durham continues to evolve, the Arts Council stands as both witness and catalyst to the city's transformation. This exhibition, with its themes of growth, labor, and community, couldn't be more timely or more perfectly placed. It's a testament to the Council's success in fulfilling its mission to support and promote the arts in Durham, while pointing toward an even brighter future.
Samudra Vijay
Oct 16, 2024
5
Beautiful venue with awesome acoustic for small musical and theater events.
Lucy Barber
Aug 24, 2024
5
The Durham Arts Council is truly a gem, and I’m so grateful that our city has such a wonderful facility! My husband and I hosted our rehearsal dinner here for ~120 guests, and we can’t say enough good things about the staff and the venue itself.
The location is fantastic—centrally located and easily walkable from where our guests were staying. One of the things we loved most was that DAC offers in-house rentals for tables, chairs, bar setups, and more, so we didn’t have to worry about coordinating with a third-party vendor for those (we did work with American Party Rentals for table cloths and plates).
I worked with McKayla, who was an absolute pleasure to communicate with. She was always positive and super helpful throughout the whole process. DAC also offers various options for which combination of rooms you want to rent depending on your guest size. Their pricing and rental information is clearly laid out on their website, which made planning that much easier.
The venue features a catering kitchen and allows you to bring in any caterer you want, which gave us great flexibility. Coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs for the items we brought in was seamless, and they were kind enough to let us store everything overnight, so we didn’t have to spend the end of our night shuttling things home.
We hosted our cocktail hour and toasts in the big atrium with the balcony—it was such a beautiful space, and the large glass windows provided a stunning backdrop. We also brought in a jazz band, and the acoustics in that space were fantastic.
One of the highlights for the kids was an art scavenger hunt we put together. DAC kindly allowed the kids to explore the art in the Truist Gallery, even though that wasn’t part of the space we had rented—such a generous touch!
On top of all that, DAC offers so much to the community, supporting local arts and providing spaces for events and activities. We’ve even rented out their dance rooms on multiple occasions to practice dance routines, which has always been easy and reasonably priced—definitely a great option if you’re looking for a dance floor!
Overall, I’m just so proud that this venue exists in our city, and I highly recommend it for anyone planning an event or looking for a space to support local arts.
Jenni Levenbook
Jul 17, 2024
5
I came to attend an open-gallery art show for Third Fridays and was amazed to see the diverse array of artistic talent being nurtured by the Durham Arts Council's Durham Artists Guild.
Craigson Parker
Jul 5, 2024
5
Lovely building, great place for youth acting classes. The plants outside and the grass area are nice to sit at.
Anthony Edwards
Dec 23, 2023
4
A great resource in Durham to cultivate the arts. On the first floor is typically a rotating exhibit. The rest of the building has rehearsal and performance space.
