General Info

The Dorchester Center for the Arts is partially funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. About Dorchester Center for the Arts Our MISSION STATEMENT: Dorchester Center for the Arts, Inc, formed in 1970, is dedicated to enriching Maryland's Eastern Shore community through high quality, engaging programming in the visual, literary, musical and performing arts. As the designated County Arts Council Dorchester County, the Center for the Arts is committed to increasing access to the arts for all members of our community by supporting extensive outreach and educational opportunities in the arts. Our VISION STATEMENT: Dorchester Center for the Arts is the community arts organization providing diverse programs, instruction and support for all the arts in Dorchester County. A non-profit organization, the Center for the Arts is situated on Historic High Street in Cambridge where it offers gallery shows, arts classes and an artisans' gift shop. The Center for the Arts is home for artists in all media -- drawing ; painting, including watercolor, pastels, and oils ; basketry ; pottery ; quilting ; photography ; stained glass ; music ; theater ; literature and more. Over 80 instructional arts classes for adults and children are taught each year at the Center in these disciplines, as well as calligraphy, decoy carving, furniture painting, dancing and performing arts. New and exciting classes are scheduled on a regular basis. As part of our mission, we provide funds for Art-in-Education programs in our county schools and allocate programs. The Center for the Arts also produces and presents the annual Dorchester Showcase, an outdoor arts and craft festival which draws over 6, 000 people each year to Cambridge for fine art, handmade crafts, live music and Eastern Shore cuisine. What's new? Center for the Arts has redeveloped the historic Nathan Building at 321 High Street in Cambridge. The 17, 000 square foot space hosts state-of-the-art classrooms, galleries, an artisans' gift shop, performing arts spaces and a gorgeous reception area for special events.