We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned citizens troubled by the recent halt in the progress of the Dougherty Arts Center's construction and proposed changes that threaten the future of this vital community resource in Austin, Texas. The Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) has been a cornerstone of our city’s cultural landscape and continues to be an economic driver for Austin’s creative economy, offering invaluable programming through its art school, theater, and gallery spaces, and serving as an essential source of local employment.

To halt the current progress and propose changes to the initially agreed design significantly jeopardizes this heritage. Alterations to the original plan—reducing the scope of the new facility to only an art school, and eliminating the theater and gallery—fail to address the diverse needs of our community.

Therefore, we demand the following:

1. A complete arts center with theater, gallery, and art school, fully aligned with the original design
2. The City Council to keep their promise made in the December 2022 resolution to complete the building as designed
3. Allocation of the necessary funds to complete the replacement of the Dougherty Arts Center in the 2026 bond
4. No additional costly community engagement process 
5. Use of our bond dollars for the original intention of replacing the entire Dougherty Arts Center

The Dougherty Arts Center must remain a comprehensive facility that supports classes, a thriving theater, and multiple gallery spaces. It needs to continue as an invaluable artist resource center. Protecting the future of the Dougherty Arts Center is the ethical course of action and essential for the cultural and economic well-being of Austin's population.

Please sign this petition and join us in urging the City Council of Austin to respect the Dougherty Arts Center's indispensable role, honor the original comprehensive design, and commit to completing the construction to protect our community's invaluable resource.