Membership cards will be available for collection at the annual exhibition. If you would like your card(s) posted there will be an additional charge of £1 to cover postage costs.
Be part of Dorset’s
creative community
creative community
Becoming a member of the Dorset Arts & Crafts Association means joining a friendly, welcoming network of people who love making, learning, and sharing creativity. Whether you’re a painter, quilter, jeweller, woodturner, photographer – or simply someone who enjoys Dorset’s creative spirit – there’s a place for you here.
Your membership helps keep DACA’s work going: from our annual Showcase exhibition, to supporting groups and individuals through our Arts & Crafts Grant Fund, which helps creative projects take shape across the county.
What you’ll enjoy
as a member
Members tell us they value lots of things – the inspiration, the opportunities, the sense of community – but here are some of the highlights:
- Free entry to Showcase – visit as often as you like throughout the event.
- Discounted entry fees for submitting work to the Showcase competitions.
- Sell your work in the Showcase Sales Gallery.
- The opportunity to apply for a craft stall at Showcase
- Exclusive access to the Members’ Design Challenge – an annual creative project designed to spark original thinking.
- Discounts from selected local suppliers.
- Free listing for your art or craft business on the DACA website.
- Regular newsletters – packed with news, inspiration, and opportunities.
- Have your say – full members can vote at our General Meetings.
Members’ Design Challenge
Each year, members have the opportunity to take part in our Design Challenge – using a single photograph as inspiration for a piece of work in any medium. There are no rules, just creativity: some focus on colour, others on shape, texture, meaning, or mood. The results are always delightfully varied.
If you’re a member, you can:
- Submit a photograph for consideration as the next Challenge image
- Create a piece inspired by the chosen image for display at Showcase