The Delaplaine Arts Center is dedicated to providing the Frederick region with educational opportunities and experiences in the visual arts through classes, exhibits, and programs. Serving the community since 1986, the Delaplaine has grown from a small, grassroots beginning to a vibrant regional nonprofit organization and leader in the arts. It is housed in the 100-year-old Mountain City Mill on the banks of beautiful Carroll Creek Park in historic downtown Frederick.
More than 250 classes and workshops are offered in an ever-growing list of media and subjects for all ages and levels each year. Classes are led by experienced instructors, who are also working artists, in our award-winning facility. More than 50 exhibits are provided annually in our eight on-site galleries and in several satellite galleries located around the county. Galleries are open daily and admission is always free. Our Etchison-Davis Library is one of the largest free art libraries in Maryland. A variety of public programs, lectures, art trips, and more round out the educational experience. Guided by our vision that, "Everyone deserves art," the Delaplaine partners with a number of other area nonprofits to provide free and reduced-cost art experiences to underserved and at-risk audiences.
The Gift Gallery at the Delaplaine offers an eclectic variety of artworks for sale and hosts art markets and artist demonstrations. The Delaplaine also hosts any number of private and community special events, from wedding receptions to business retreats, in beautiful Gardiner Hall. Income from sales and rentals are used to support our mission programming.
The Delaplaine Arts Center is one of only a handful of cultural organizations accredited in the national Standards for Excellence program by the Standards for Excellence Institute; has been awarded Platinum Seal Status by GuideStar, USA; and included in the 2017-2018 Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the best nonprofits in the DC Metro region.