Discover Bowen Center for the Arts -Our Mission is to promote and cultivate an appreciation for the arts and the artistic spirit in Dawson County and give an opportunity to develop and encourage expression of individual creativity. Stay and Play in GA!
General Info
Functions of the Center for the Arts: Performing and visual arts events. Classes offered in all areas of the Fine Arts. Cultural History exhibits Facility rental for meetings, receptions, small events.
Admission to our facility and gallery is free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Party Facilities
History
Dawson County Arts Council, Inc. (DCAC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1995 and incorporated in 1996.
The DCAC received from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation the 2001 Preservation Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation for its restoration of the 'Old Rock School,' a 5,000 square foot building that for many years was part of the Dawson County School system.
Local Dawson County residents built it of locally quarried rock as a part of the Dawsonville High School complex in the 1930's. In the 1940's the major part of the school was destroyed by fire. After a town meeting sponsored by the Dawson County Historical and Genealogical Society and months of community planning., the Dawson County Arts Council, Inc. presented to the Dawson County Board of Education its proposal to assume responsibility for the Old Rock School in October of 1999.
The rehabilitation project cost was approximately $200,000. Work began in January of 2000 and was completed in September of 2000. The "Old Rock School", now known as the Ralph & Ludy Bowen Center for the Arts was dedicated on September 7th and opened with its first Art Exhibit on October 1, 2000. These events mark the beginning of an ongoing program of events to enrich the cultural and artistic spirit of Dawson County. In October of 2000, the building became the permanent home of the Arts Council and was subsequently named the Bowen Center for the Arts.
Vision Contribute to the cultural foundation of our community. Create citizen involvement in the arts. Provide Dawson County Schools and community groups with the resources to support the arts. Make a positive impact on the economic development of our community. Camps and Classes - Children and Adults To provide quality arts programs and services to improve the quality of life in Dawson County.
