History and Mission:

Darlington Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, strives to serve the cultural needs of a diverse community by providing a school and outreach programs for the visual and performing arts and by promoting the enjoyment and understanding of the arts for people of all ages as expressed in music, art, dance, and drama.

The Center is inclusive in its offerings. By embracing the visual and performing arts, Darlington makes it possible to enroll more than one family member at the same time and place for classes or lessons in music, art, dance, or drama.

The Darlington Arts Center was founded and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1978 by Diana Sophocles Hemmenway based on a unique vision: to include all four arts disciplines - music, visual arts, dance and drama - in one facility with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary programming. In fact, Darlington was the first community arts center in the state of Pennsylvania to offer the four arts under one roof. For 30 years, the programming possibilities and opportunities have been extensive and innovative. Twenty years ago, Darlington pioneered the concept of a preschool arts program for 3-5 year olds which includes classes in all four arts taught by four teaching arts specialists. The summer arts camp soon followed the same model for children ages 5 - 12 offered 5 days a week throughout the summer.