The Division Avenue Arts Collective, or DAAC, is an all-ages music venue, art gallery and DIY project incubator in Grand Rapids, MI. Fueled by volunteers, the DAAC exists to provide a safe & neutral space for artistic expression, available to everyone regardless of age or other circumstance. We believe that everyone has something to contribute, and we strive to create a community based on participatory culture through a DIT (do-it-together) approach. Additionally, we are deeply committed to remaining non-commercial and institutionally transparent.
TEN POINTS:
Taking a cue from the inspiring DIY cultural center MESS HALL (Chicago, IL), we have developed a ten point outline of what we as a collective believe in.
1.) We insist on neutral platforms for individual and cultural expression.
2.) We value spaces run by the people who use them.
3.) We encourage collaboration over competition.
4.) We support the transition from a "do-it-yourself" (DIY) attitude to a "do-it-together" (DIT) community.
5.) We strive to be inclusive and to interact with other groups and communities.
6.) We believe everyone has something to contribute.
7.) We believe that age should not limit participation in cultural production.
8.) We are committed to remaining non-commercial and institutionally transparent.
9.) We strive to create a safe and accessible place that emphasizes mutual respect for all.
10.) We believe that constructive criticism is a foundation of healthy communities.
HISTORY:
The DAAC was founded in October of 2003 by a group of inspired Rapidians that include Ben Schaafsma, Emma Heemskerk, George Wietor, Jeff Vandenberg, and Kevin Nunn among others as an art and music venue run independently of religious, corporate, and financial affiliation. The idea for the DAAC grew out of an interest and need for space in order to support the growing independent music scene at the time.
Officially, the first show occurred on October 25, 2003- but a week prior the site was used for the second half of the final Halos for Martyrs show after it was shut down by the police mid-performance at 10 Weston, another neighborhood venue that had its final show that night. After someone yelled "Let's move it to the DAAC!" the entire mass of people marched the block and a half from 10 Weston to the 115 S.Division, carrying drums and other gear over their heads.
For nearly a decade, the DAAC, with the help of friends and neighbors played host to over a thousand events, ranging from art exhibitions, workshops, lectures, film screenings, live music shows, Sunday Soups, and other performances. Following the sale of the 115 & 117 S. Division on July 23, 2013, the collective was asked to leave.
One of our greatest points of pride is that we were able to do this completely on our own, without grants or any other outside funding. While we became essentially self-sufficient and were able to pay the bills, our budget didn’t allow for much more than that. Approaching our 10th year we’re looking to make a comeback. In making the transition from no home to new home, not-for-profit to non-profit, we are looking to raise enough money to move into a new space with new equipment in order to expand our programming capability and reach new audiences.
