Dillsburg Arts Council

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to revitalize Dillsburg Borough and the surrounding areas through the arts; nurture the creative spirit of youth and adults through programs, concerts and community events; support local artists, enhance local economies, and facilitate art education opportunities; partner with other community-based entities to provide programs furthering Dillsburg Arts mission. We strive to accomplish our mission to connect community through the arts in the following ways:

Engaging Children

Art classes
Concerts
Artist in Residence Program in Elementary Schools
Art Camp
Dance Camp
Heritage Presentations

Engaging Families

Concerts
Arts in the Alley Community Event
Art classes designed to engage both parent and child

Engaging Adults

Art classes
Concerts
Volunteer opportunities
History tours of Historic Monaghan and Cemetery

Engaging
Local Artisans

Art Directory Database
Art Auctions to support the council and its programs
Art Showcases at events
Local Art Class Directory

Partnerships in our Community

The Dillsburg Arts Council values partnership with organizations in our area in order to strengthen support of local arts.

The Dillsburg Arts Council would like to recognize the Cultural Alliance of York County, as part of the stART Something – Arts in Education and PA Partners in the Arts, for all of their support in making programs possible for the Council. Their support financially and with encouragement, have made it possible for the Council to become a source of support for local artists and programming. Their support has spread into programs that directly impact our children and the Northern York County School District.

The Church

The Dillsburg Arts Council is uniquely housed in Historic Monaghan Presbyterian Church. Pieces of art in itself, the priceless stained glass is a beautiful backdrop to our many events.

Take a Tour

To learn about the historic church and its 1737 Scots-Irish roots and the priceless stained glass windows contact us to schedule a tour.

A Little History

Historic Monaghan Presbyterian Church has been a part of community life in the town of Dillsburg since it was founded by Scots Irish settlers as early as 1737. The first church was built in 1761 and in 1769. Reverend George Duffield, Chaplain for the Continental congress, was appointed as Monaghan’s first pastor.

The current property was deeded to the church by the heirs of Matthew Dill on July 12, 1783, eighteen years before the town of Dillsburg was laid out. The current brick church was built in 1849.

Historic Monaghan Presbyterian Church is a destination site on the York County Planning Commission’s Heritage Program Map (#41).

 

Revitalization

The Dillsburg Area is a vibrant and intregral part of Central Pennsylvania. To date, Dillsburg Arts has done a number of things to enhance the community’s rich history and cultural traditions. We purchased and installed a town center clock; modified the town square into a park setting; completed a downtown facade improvement program in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development; implemented a program to renovate the Dillsburg Borough Downtown including sidewalks and streetlights; and purchased Historic Monaghan Church in order to develop it as the site of an arts and community center.