Manteo
North Carolina
Dare County Arts Council
Over the years hundreds of dedicated, hard-working individuals have volunteered their time and donated their resources to heighten interest in the arts by bringing a wide variety of arts activities and performances to residents of Dare County.
Arts in education is big part of the Dare County Arts Council. Pat Fearing, a former schoolteacher, says she has always felt that a child's education isn't complete without a fine arts education as well. "Children must be exposed to the arts if their souls are going to develop. We want to be sure that Dare County children have every educational advantage and are Exposed to cultural opportunities that are accessible to children in a metropolitan area."
Since opening its first office in Central Square complex in Nags Head in September 1996, the Dare County Arts Council has moved to a bigger location in historic downtown Manteo on Sir Walter Raleigh Street. This houses the DCAC office and the Sea and Sounds Gallery. Thanks to an original 3-year Salary Assistance Grant (SAG) from the North Carolina Arts Council, DCAC was able to hire its first employee in November 1996. The SAG funded half the employee's salary for a 3-year period.
As Dare County grows in its residential and tourist population, so does arts programming services. DCAC is always very thankful for your membership, participation, and support associated with meeting the needs of our community. We rely heavily on our volunteer network and funding sources to provide these programs and services
Upcoming Events at Dare County Arts Council
Movie - The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52
Recent News
Dare Arts To Celebrate 50th Anniversary In 2025
Dare Arts will celebrate 50 years of encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity in 2025. As the nonprofit commemorates this important milestone, a common theme of “celebrating our past, present, and…
Read More »Public Also Encouraged to Explore Current USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) Exhibit Available Through Mid-November
The Dare County Regional Airport Museum is pleased to announce a new rotating exhibit that will highlight the groundbreaking contributions of Francis Rogallo, an American aeronautical engineer who is best known for inventing the Rogallo wing, a…
Read More »Dare Arts Partners With The Pioneer Theater To Host Outer Banks Veterans Concert
Experience an intimate evening of storytelling through song by award-winning musicians at the Outer Banks Veterans Concert, which will be held at 7pm on Saturday, November 9 at The Pioneer Theater in downtown Manteo. Co-founder of Soldier…
Read More »Dare Arts and Aquarium Pair Art and Science
What began as an idea for an art installation has evolved into a collaboration between Dare Arts and the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island that will educate residents and visitors about jellies this fall. For the last several months, artist Carol…
Read More »The Outer Banks Film Society Returns For Second Season
After a sell out inaugural season, Dare Arts is excited to announce that the Outer Banks Film Society will return in September for its second season to screen independent films, movie classics, documentaries, shorts and world cinema. Outer Banks…
Read More »2024 Scholarship Recipient Named At 35th Artrageous Kids Art Festival
Presented by PNC Bank Thousands of children and adults gathered at Dowdy Park in Nags Head Sat., May 11, for a fun-filled day at the 35th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival presented by PNC Bank. The family-friendly event included over 20…
Read More »Dare Arts To Host LGBTQ+ Art Exhibit In June
In celebration of the nationally recognized Pride Month, Dare Arts is proud to announce a call for entry for their second exhibit highlighting work by queer artists in June. Outside Straight Lines- A Visual Arts Exhibition Featuring Queer Artists…
Read More »ComMotion Builds Health and Engagement Through The Arts
At the beginning of March, Raleigh, NC group Community In Motion (ComMotion) visited the Outer Banks for a week-long residency through Dare Arts’ Power of Art program. ComMotion is a nonprofit whose mission is to build community and improve…
Read More »Dare Arts Now Seeking Artists For The 27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show
Dare Arts Now Seeking Artists For The 27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show Founded by Mollie A. Fearing & Associates Dare Arts announces a call for entry for the 27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, which will open on…
Read More »Dare Arts Announces Artist Support Grant Recipients
Six North Carolina artists were recently awarded Artist Support Grants that were made possible through a partnership between the North Carolina Arts Council, Pocosin Arts, Arts of the Pamlico, Dare Arts, Ocracoke Alive, Pettigrew Regional Libraries,…
Read More »Dare Arts Announces 46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show Award Recipients
Hundreds of community members and artists gathered at Dare Arts on Friday, February 2 for the opening of the 46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, which features the work of over 80 local and regional artists. “This is an impressive…
Read More »Dare Arts and The Pioneer Theater to Bring Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience to Manteo
Two-time GRAMMY award-winning musician Terrance Simien and his Zydeco Experience band will be in downtown Manteo on Saturday, February 17, thanks to a special partnership between Dare Arts and The Pioneer Theater. The day will include two unique…
Read More »Chicamacomico Historical Association and Dare Arts Announce Second Historical Arts Project
Chicamacomico Historical Association and Dare Arts Announce Second Historical Arts Project To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and the Lifesaving Service on the North Carolina Coast, Dare Arts and the…
Read More »Dare Arts Announces A Call For Entry For 2024 Frank Stick Show
Dare Arts Announces A Call For Entry For 2024 Frank Stick Show Dare Arts is now seeking entries for the 46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, which will open at their Gallery in downtown Manteo at 6pm on Friday, February 2, 2024. …
Read More »Registration Now Open For 11th Annual Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop
The 11th Annual Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop will be held at the UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19. Educator, editor, and Veteran Dario DiBattista will lead this…
Read More »Dare To See The World With The Outer Banks Film Society
Dare To See The World With The Outer Banks Film Society Created to foster a community that appreciates the art of film, Dare Arts is proud to introduce the Outer Banks Film Society which will screen independent films, movie classics,…
Read More »Dare Arts Pride Project Makes its Debut in June 2023
Dare Arts Pride Project Makes its Debut in June A month of visual, performing and literary art events highlighting artists who self-identify within the LGBTQ+ community will begin on Friday, June 2 as part of the Dare Arts Pride Project, which…
Read More »11th Annual Rock The Cape Festival
The 11th Annual Rock The Cape Is Next Week Kick off the summer season on Hatteras Island at the 11th Annual Rock The Cape, which will take place June 1-2. The Rock The Cape art show and concert will be held on Thursday, June 1 at Kitty Hawk…
Read More »Dare Arts Presents The Courtyard Sessions: Live At Lunch
Blues, jazz, rock n’ roll, pop, and bluegrass are just a few of the music genres visitors and residents of downtown Manteo can enjoy during The Courtyard Sessions: Live At Lunch at Dare Arts starting on Wednesday, May 10. The Courtyard…
Read More »Dare County Arts - Save The Date For The 11th Annual Rock The Cape
Save The Date For The 11th Annual Rock The Cape The 11th Annual Rock The Cape will celebrate the visual and performing arts on Hatteras Island June 1-2 with an art show, concert and gallery tour. On Thursday, June 1 there will be a full…
Read More »Dare Arts Is Proud To Host Lgbtq+ Art Exhibit In June
Dare Arts Is Proud To Host LGBTQ+ Art Exhibit In June In celebration of the nationally recognized Pride Month, Dare Arts has partnered with Out On The OBX and OBX Pridefest, to present their first ever exhibit highlighting work by queer artists in…
Read More »Dare County Arts Council - Open Call For Dare Arts Board Of Directors
Dare Arts is delighted to announce a special open call for Dare County residents to serve on their Board of Directors. In recent years, Dare Arts has made a sincere commitment to embracing diversity across the organization, and this open call for…
Read More »Dare County Arts Council : Artrageous To Provide A Space To Create In May
Families are invited to attend the 34th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival, which will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sat., May 13, at Dowdy Park in Nags Head. This year’s Artrageous theme is Space To Create, offering children a fun,…
Read More »Dare County Arts Council - Now Seeking Artists For The 26th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show
Dare Arts Now Seeking Artists For The 26th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show Dare Arts announces a call for entry for the 26th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, which will open on Sunday, May 7 at their Gallery in downtown Manteo. …
Read More »Dare County Arts Council - Dare Arts Announces Artist Support Grant Recipients
Dare Arts Announces Artist Support Grant Recipients Four North Carolina artists were recently awarded Artist Support Grants that were made possible through a partnership between the North Carolina Arts Council, Pocosin Arts, Arts of the Pamlico,…
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