Mission
Our mission is to develop, promote, and encourage participation in and appreciation of the arts throughout Dakota County, MN, and beyond.
Vision
Our vision is a world where creativity thrives, every story is celebrated, and the arts unite and strengthen communities.
History
Dakota Center for the Arts (DCA) was chartered in 1961 as the non-profit Fine Art Society of Dakota County to provide programming and community engagement in the visual arts. In 1980, the name was changed to DCA, and, in 1999, the group merged with the Eagan Arts and Humanities Council. In 2000, all assets of the Yankee Doodle Arts & Crafts Festival (est. 1994) were given to DCA. In 2001, DCA ran the art festival for the first time. In 2007, DCA turned arts programming over to the City of Eagan and registered the Eagan Art Festival (EAF) as an assumed name with the state. From 2007, the primary focus of DCA has been the EAF, celebrating 30 years in 2024.
Our Team!
We couldn’t do this without the support of our amazing team!
Board of Directors
Lindsay Walz, President
What is your connection to Dakota County?
Friends, community partnerships, nature and ART have been my primary connection points to Dakota County. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the place and people through my work with the DCA!
Why is it important to you to support the arts in Dakota County?
I'm a big supporter of the arts everywhere because they help us tell our stories and connect across differences. The arts can be deeply personal pathways to healing and transformation, add whimsy and fun to community spaces, or just make life more colorful! Celebrating and spotlighting artists and their art as the culture bearers of our community is critically important - not just now, but always.
Abhishek Kumar, Vice President
Bobbi Hoppman, Treasurer
Norah Carroll, Secretary
Tom Lyseng, Director
Board Advisor
Christy Williams
Executive Director
Lara Cornell, MASD
What is your connection to Dakota County?
I grew up in Northfield and my extended family was from the Lakeville area. I worked in Burnsville, shopping in Apple Valley and even lived in Rosemount for a short time while my mother worked in Eagan. Dakota County has always been a part of my life.
Why is it important to you to support the arts in Dakota County?
Supporting the arts in Dakota County feels deeply personal to me because Dakota County has always been part of my life. I grew up connected to these communities, and over the years I’ve seen just how much creativity, talent, and heart live here. Because it sits so close to the Twin Cities, I think Dakota County’s arts community can sometimes be overlooked—but it truly deserves to be recognized for the vibrant, thriving creative hub that it is. There is so much beauty, vision, and artistic energy here, and I feel genuinely excited to champion it, celebrate it, and help it shine even brighter.