Dawson County Arts Unlimited has been established and is dedicated to the following goals:
Our History
History of Dawson County Arts Unlimited, Inc.
1988 - A very small group of local residents were brainstorming ideas for economic development following the bust of the early 1980’s when they decided that one way to enhance Glendive’s prospects was to improve its cultural offerings.
1991-1992 - The group named itself Dawson County Arts Unlimited, DCAU. A mission statement and by-laws were drawn up and a $500 paddlefish caviar grant was secured from the Glendive Chamber of Commerce. This seed money allowed DCAU to rent a building, and “The Gallery”, a retail consignment store for member artists, was born. “The Gallery” store opened at 111 W. Town Street in Glendive, MT in 1992. Paperwork was filed with the State of Montana and federal entities for non-profit status, which was granted to DCAU,Inc.
1993 - DCAU, Inc. received a $5000 grant from the Montana legislature. From its first location on Towne St., The Gallery moved to the West Plaza Shopping Center, and occupied a couple different locations in the mall over the next years.
2005 - DCAU purchased a building at 109 N. Merrill Ave. in Glendive, MT. That location became the permanent home for The Gallery, where it remains in business today.
The Gallery is managed by a board of directors made up of the officers of the DCAU membership.
The Gallery not only serves as a retail outlet for DCAU member artists’ artwork, but also hosts social and fundraising events promoting the arts and DCAU; is home to meetings for DCAU members, and is made available to area non-profit groups no charge for their meetings. The Gallery provides a place for art and craft classes and groups to develop their skills in the arts. Educational tours can be scheduled for youth and adult groups. The Gallery also serves as a venue for displaying student artwork from area schools and Dawson Community, and other gallery’s traveling art shows.
2016 - In December, DCAU celebrated The Gallery’s 25th birthday.
DCAU takes pride in the cultural contributions that have been and are continuing to be made to Glendive and Eastern Montana. Most interesting to note is DCAU/The Gallery is totally volunteer run and volunteer driven, there are no paid employees or personal. Its success can be attributed to a dedicated group of local members and area artists, and the support of local and area businesses and the Glendive community.