The Contemporary Dayton
The Contemporary Dayton (TCD) is the region’s contemporary art center. Established in 1991 as Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC), a 501c3 non-profit organization, The Contemporary Dayton advances the understanding and practice of contemporary art by connecting artists and audiences through ambitious exhibitions, innovative programs, and collaborative partnerships. Rooted in Dayton’s history of invention and resilience, The Contemporary Dayton is a catalyst for dialogue, experimentation, and cultural vitality.
We champion artists from our region and beyond, supporting their creative risk-taking while fostering access and equity for all audiences. Through exhibitions, education, and community engagement, The Contemporary Dayton affirms the essential role of art in shaping civic imagination, nurturing critical thought, and strengthening the social and economic fabric of the Miami Valley.
In addition to our five galleries, which are always free and open to all, The Contemporary Dayton’s retail store, the CoSHOP, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of products while creating meaningful income opportunities for local and regional artists. Extending our mission beyond the gallery walls, the CoSHOP provides another way for visitors to engage with contemporary art through unique artist-made goods, books, and creative experiences. Every purchase directly supports our exhibitions, educational programs, and community initiatives, helping us connect people with contemporary art in meaningful ways.
You can make an even greater impact by becoming a Member of The Contemporary Dayton. Your membership helps keep our exhibitions free, supports artists and innovative programming, and strengthens a vibrant community dedicated to creativity and cultural exchange. Join today and become part of a community that champions contemporary art and helps shape its future in our region.
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Our Mission
To provide art for the community and a community for artists.
The Contemporary Dayton 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 Contemporary Dayton 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 Contemporary Dayton 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 (TCD) 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 Contemporary Dayton 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 Contemporary Dayton’s commitment to fostering new work and scholarship and highlighting contemporary artists’ foundational questions and responses within the broader art history canon.
Additionally, The Contemporary Dayton offers free artist talks, interviews, and panel discussions, which are professionally recorded, edited, and archived in The Contemporary Dayton’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 Contemporary Dayton’s curatorial assistant, are also available.
The Contemporary Dayton is free and open to the public year-round, offering a welcoming and inclusive space for all to experience contemporary art.
The Contemporary Dayton (TCD) 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 Contemporary Dayton 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 Contemporary Dayton plays a vital role in inspiring creativity, fostering innovation, and celebrating the diversity of our community.
The Contemporary Dayton (TCD) 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 Contemporary Dayton, 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.
SUN – TUES / CLOSED
WED – SAT / 11 AM – 6 PM
SELECT FIRST FRIDAYS / 11 – 8 PM
GALLERY HOURS:
First Fridays until 8 p.m.
GET IN TOUCH:
25 W 4th Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Plan Your Visit
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.