Dakota Center for the Arts History

Today - The primary focus of Dakota Center for the Arts is the Eagan Art Festival and its support of  the City of Eagan Parks and Recreation Department’s  “Eagan Art House.”
2011 - Granted our first Terry B. Davis Scholarship in honor of our past president, given to a graduating senior from Eagan going into the arts.
2007 - Dakota Center for the Arts registered “Eagan Art Festival” as an assumed name with the state of Minnesota.
2007 - Operations of the Art House were turned over to Eagan Parks and Recreation Department.
2001 - Dakota Center for the Arts hired a part time director to manage the Art House and sponsored “Yankee Doodle Arts and Crafts Festival” for the first time.
2000 - Assets of the “Yankee Doodle Arts and Crafts Festival” are donated to Dakota Center for the Arts.
1999 - Dakota Center for the Arts and Eagan Arts and Humanities Council merged to form Dakota Center for the Arts located in Eagan.
1998 - Dakota Center for the Arts proposed a merger with Eagan Arts and Humanities Council.
1997 - The first classes were held at the “The Art House” by Eagan Arts and Humanities Council in partnership with Eagan Parks and Recreation Department.
1997 - Eagan Arts and Humanities Council was formed by a core group of volunteers as a nonprofit organization.
1997 - City of Eagan took possession of the house and property following the passing of Lillian McCarthy.
1991 - City of Eagan acquired the Lillian McCarthy house and property under a “life estate” agreement.
1980 - Fine Art Society of Dakota County amended its name to Dakota Center for the Arts.
1961 - Fine Art Society of Dakota County located in South St. Paul was chartered by the state of Minnesota as a nonprofit corporation.

This legacy organization is the oldest nonprofit arts organization in the state of Minnesota.