The Contemporary Dayton
The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) is the region’s contemporary art center. Established in 1991 as Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC), a 501c3, The Co produces and presents original exhibitions and programs, art events, community partnerships, and artist opportunities. Exhibitions and education programs feature artists living and working today, both nationally and in Ohio, with an emphasis on those whose work focuses on issues of social justice. In addition to its three galleries—open to all and always free—its retail store, the CoSHOP, provides income for Ohio artists and extends The Co’s accessibility to art, from visitor engagement to educational outreach through store products, programs, and experiences.
The Co is proud to support the creation of connections among the arts, community building, civic engagement, community planning, and use of public space, and makes an annual economic impact of 3.4 million to the region. Recently raising 1 million during the Pandemic to expand and move into its new home in downtown’s historic Dayton Arcade, The Co is led by Executive Director Eva Buttacavoli, a 30-year art museum administrator, curator, and educator, whose previous roles were at The Contemporary Austin, TX and The Perez Art Museum Miami, FL.
Join The Contemporary Dayton to learn more about making and collecting art; to meet artists and art supporters; and to find beautiful, original objects that will make you think and feed your soul, as well as fill your walls.
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Our Mission
To provide art for the community and a community for artists.
The Co is deeply committed to advancing equity, diversity, and access now and into the future. A thriving artistic and intellectual community is strengthened by embracing diversity and inclusion, which we champion through our exhibitions, programs, and operations.
We believe that true artistic and intellectual freedom emerges from environments that honor and value diverse perspectives. By fostering spaces where community members can engage respectfully with different viewpoints and ideas, we ensure that all voices are heard and supported. When we speak of “equity, diversity, and access,” we embrace differences in gender expression and identity, age, culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, physical ability, neurodiversity, religion, occupation, nationality, immigration status, socioeconomic status, and the full range of life experiences that span these distinctions.
Achieving this inclusive understanding of diversity requires continuous education, reflection, and effort. The Co is committed to supporting this journey for all members of our community. As an institution, we strive to be a leader in addressing and integrating equity, diversity, and access in every aspect of our work. By building connections and cultivating relationships between our local community and the global public, we continue to uphold the belief that a multiplicity of voices enriches and propels The Co forward, making it a source of inspiration and influence.
The Contemporary Dayton, September 2020.
Exhibition Mandate: A Commitment to Artistic Excellence and Engagement
The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) is committed to artistic excellence and engagement through its exhibitions, which focus on presenting new work by emerging and mid-career artists, with a special emphasis on Dayton and Ohio-based artists, and artists who have been historically marginalized in traditional art spaces, including women, artists of color, and LGBTQA+ artists. Each exhibition contributes to a deeper understanding of art, the creative process, and the relevant social issues of contemporary life in Dayton, the Midwest, and beyond.
To enhance learning and engagement, The Co offers a range of educational components for every exhibition. Each show is accompanied by a Gallery Guide that features an original commissioned critical essay by an arts professional, an in-depth artist biography, a glossary of key art terms, and a checklist of the exhibition. These materials support The Co’s commitment to fostering new work and scholarship and highlighting contemporary artists’ foundational questions and responses within the broader art history canon.
Additionally, The Co offers free artist talks, interviews, and panel discussions, which are professionally recorded, edited, and archived in The Co’s extensive digital video library—an invaluable resource preserving the artists’ voices for future generations. This library, unique to the region, also includes downloadable curriculum connections for Dayton Public Schools (grades 9-12) to augment tours and lessons. Drop-in tours and guided tours for high school and college groups, led by the artist, curator, or The Co’s curatorial assistant, are also available.
To ensure accessibility, educational guides are available in large print formats and as audio descriptions (meeting ADA standards). The Co is free and open to the public year-round, offering a welcoming and inclusive space for all to experience contemporary art.
The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) was founded by a passionate community of artists and arts activists committed to making contemporary art accessible to all. Built for the community, by the community, The Co continues to be driven by the people it serves, with 72% of our revenue coming from local contributions. This overwhelming support allows us to welcome 10,000 visitors annually and reach over 40,000 through outreach programs. As one of just 45 non-collecting contemporary art centers in the U.S., we contribute to the rich cultural offerings that make Dayton notable. By collaborating with local businesses, organizations, and vendors, we not only strengthen the cultural landscape but also drive economic vitality downtown, providing income to dozens of local artists and entrepreneurs. Through our exhibitions and programs, The Co plays a vital role in inspiring creativity, fostering innovation, and celebrating the diversity of our community.
The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) respectfully acknowledges that the land on which we gather, create, and present art is the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples who have been the stewards of this region for generations. We honor the Shawnee, Miami, Lenape (Delaware), Wyandot, and other Native nations who lived, traveled, and gathered here in Southwest Ohio.
We recognize that the city of Dayton, and much of this region, exists on land that was forcibly taken from these communities through displacement and broken treaties. As a contemporary art center, we hold ourselves accountable to the responsibility of addressing historical and ongoing inequities. We are committed to honoring Indigenous histories, contributions, and contemporary cultures by elevating their voices through art, collaboration, and education.
At The Co, we believe art plays a crucial role in fostering dialogue, healing, and awareness. By acknowledging the relationship between the land and Indigenous peoples, we commit to supporting Indigenous artists, respecting their cultural sovereignty, and contributing to the broader efforts of reconciliation. Through our exhibitions and programs, we aim to challenge erasure and support a future that recognizes and uplifts Indigenous communities and their enduring connections to this land.
MON – TUES / CLOSED
WED – SAT / 11 AM – 6 PM
SUN / 11 AM – 4 PM
GALLERY & CoSHOP HOURS:
WED – SAT / 11 AM – 6 PM
CLOSED SUN, MON & TUES
GET IN TOUCH
25 W 4th Street
Dayton, OH 45402
THE CONTEMPORARY DAYTON
The Contemporary Dayton is a non-profit gallery and artist resource that provides art for the community and a community for artists since 1991.
