About DAVA
Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA) is a community art center rooted in the belief that young people deserve access to meaningful, high-quality arts education,and the opportunity to grow as creative thinkers, collaborators, and leaders.
Founded in 1993, DAVA has spent more than 33 years serving youth and families in Aurora through rigorous, relationship-centered arts learning. What began as a community response to the need for safe, enriching after-school opportunities has grown into a respected cultural institution within Aurora’s Arts District.
Our Story
DAVA was created to meet young people where they are,after school, during critical developmental years, and within a richly diverse community. From the beginning, our work has been shaped by listening: to youth voices, to families, and to the evolving needs of the neighborhood we serve.
Over the decades, DAVA has grown alongside Aurora. As new immigrant and refugee communities have helped define the city’s identity, DAVA has remained a welcoming space where culture, creativity, and belonging are honored. Our programs have evolved to integrate fine art, digital media, and technology, while staying grounded in mentorship, care, and artistic excellence.
What Makes DAVA Distinct
At DAVA, youth are treated as artists.
Students work with professional-grade art materials, advanced tools, and innovative instructors who bring real-world creative practices into the studio. Learning is project-based, process-driven, and intentionally designed to help young people develop strong technical skills alongside confidence, communication, and leadership.
Equally important are the relationships that form here. DAVA is a place where students return year after year, building trust with instructors and peers, discovering their voices, and learning what it means to contribute to a creative community.
A Cultural Anchor in Aurora
Located along the east Colfax Avenue corridor, DAVA is deeply connected to one of the most culturally vibrant and diverse areas in Colorado. Our on-site gallery showcases youth work alongside professional artists, reinforcing the idea that young voices belong in the broader creative conversation.
Through exhibitions, public programs, and partnerships with local businesses, schools, and arts organizations, DAVA strengthens the Aurora Arts District and helps ensure that arts and culture remain accessible, visible, and valued in our city.
Leadership & Vision
In 2024, DAVA welcomed Executive Director Priscilla Montoya, a bilingual, bicultural leader with lived experience that reflects the community DAVA serves. Over her first year, Priscilla focused on listening, learning, and building relationships with youth, families, staff, board members, and community partners.
Today, DAVA is thoughtfully stepping into a new chapter,one that honors its legacy while embracing a refreshed vision grounded in excellence, innovation, and shared responsibility. This next era centers high-quality arts education, deep community partnerships, and long-term investment in Aurora’s young artists.
Our Commitment
DAVA is committed to:
Delivering high-quality, youth-centered arts education
Providing access to professional materials, tools, and instruction
Honoring the voices, cultures, and creativity of young people
Building lasting relationships with families, partners, and the community
Strengthening Aurora’s creative future through intentional investment
Looking Ahead
As DAVA moves forward, we remain guided by the same values that shaped our beginnings: creativity, care, and community. We invite you to learn more, visit our space, and join us in supporting the next generation of artists who are shaping Aurora’s cultural landscape.
