Capital Campaign Update

Written by Reyna Collura on September 9, 2026

76% of the Way There!
$609,070 secured toward our $800,000 goal

Including $73,465 in new gifts and pledges this summer!

Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and community partners, this summer has brought exciting, visible progress to Dorchester Center for the Arts. Major improvements are now underway throughout our historic building, bringing us closer to a stronger, more accessible, and more flexible home for the arts.

What’s Happening?

- restoration/repointing of the historic north masonry wall;
- masonry and lintel work around the Main Gallery windows;
- improvements to the Performance Hall, including lighting/sound work.

Note: Construction is underway, but all our galleries and performance/rentals spaces are still open and available for use (with some visible evidence of improvements in progress)

What’s Next?

- construction of the second-floor addition, creating a new art studio/classroom and office space on the second floor
- renovation of an existing second floor office to create a new resource library/conference/meeting space

Why It Matters

Every improvement we make strengthens DCA’s ability to serve this community for years to come. By preserving our historic building, expanding classroom capacity, improving the Performance Hall, and creating more flexible spaces for programs and gatherings, we are building a stronger home for creativity, learning, connection, and community life. These investments will allow DCA to welcome more students, artists, audiences, and neighbors—and create more opportunities for the arts to bring people together.

Support

The current campaign, launched in June, 2026, is a grassroots fundraising effort built on a foundation of over $500,00 in State support from:

- Maryland Historical Trust
- Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
- Maryland State Arts Council

Our June 2026 letter campaign led to generous donations from:

- the City of Cambridge
- Over 60 individual donors contributed to the campaign this summer!

We’re Not Done Yet!

Every gift brings us closer to completing these improvements and ensuring that DCA remains a vibrant, welcoming home for the arts for generations to come.

Help us build the next chapter.