Dakota Center for the Arts (DCA) was chartered in 1963 as the non-profit Fine Art Society of Dakota County to provide programming and community engagement in the visual arts. In 1980, the name was changed to DCA, and, in 1999, the group merged with the Eagan Arts and Humanities Council. In 2000, all assets of the Yankee Doodle Arts & Crafts Festival (est. 1994) were given to DCA. In 2001, DCA ran the art festival for the first time. In 2007, DCA turned arts programming over to the City of Eagan and registered the Eagan Art Festival (EAF) as an assumed name with the state. From 2007-2022, the primary focus of DCA was the EAF, celebrating 30 years in 2024. Looking ahead, DCA will expand programming in three key areas: (1) supporting local artists, (2) providing free art experiences for the public, and (3) contribute to arts education initiatives.