ABOUT US

In reaction to the closing of a beloved local art program that supported artists with disabilities for over a decade, a small group of artists and arts professionals created Double House Arts Collective (DHAC) to create a new community for some of the prolific art makers who lost their space.

DHAC is an inclusive arts collective and studio located in downtown Portland for artists with and without disabilities. Our collective provides an option different from a community support/day program model. Portland is already home to several wonderful day programs. We are creating something organic and new.

In this new model, we are fostering an environment in which disabled and non-disabled artists enter into the Disability Arts movement and local arts scene and community as creative partners. Through our collective and partnerships with local artists and businesses, we hope to build a supportive community, break down social barriers, and decrease stigma associated with being disabled.

All of the artists who are members of the collective have an equal voice in the direction of the art session time, unique workshops offered, and exhibit and event planning. We also provide paid leadership positions to artists with disabilities to further their artistic careers and strengthen their voices in the arts community.

Thanks to the support of community members, we launched the collective in October of 2022. We are off to a great start! 

Special thanks goes to Maine Developmental Disabilities Council for their generous support of DHAC. We also thank the following businesses and organizations for their support and collaboration: Little Chair Printing, Black Betty’s Bistro, CMP, Dick Blick, and Maine Inside Out.

We also thank our Patreon members for their support, including local businesses Toby Tzepka Luthier and Chris Haskell of Peregrine Acupuncture. Many thanks!