About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster a thriving and vibrant downtown Driggs by providing access to free and inclusive arts and culture programming, creating clean and beautiful streetscapes, and inviting and informative community spaces.

Our Vision

We envision a healthy downtown with a strong sense of place, inclusive access to the arts, and successful local businesses.

Staff, Board, and Volunteers of the Downtown Driggs Association achieve our Mission and Vision by enacting the "3 C's: Collaboration, Creativity, and Connection:

Collaboration

We help sustain and strengthen our community by collaborating with artists, actors, historians, businesses, volunteers, nonprofits, elected officials, and individuals. We believe effective and lasting change happens through meaningful partnerships with a diverse network of stakeholders.

Creativity

We engage and inform audiences through creative programming and placemaking, a community museum and visitor center, and art initiatives that foster creativity and joy, leading to a healthier and happier community.

Community

We grow grassroots community connections and foster civic pride through engaging arts and culture-based experiences, placemaking, beautification, education, and providing opportunities for community service. DDA believes a community's ability to communicate its unique assets is crucial for its capacity to catalyze positive change.

Our Story

In 2003, after the devastating fire in Downtown Driggs that left a gaping hole both physically and emotionally, businesses and investment began to leak out of the downtown. A group of local residents and business owners established a grass roots association to bring life back to downtown Driggs and to reshape our cultural identity in order to encourage community engagement, business growth and tourism. By starting free music, art, and theater programs, local culture came back to life and a new sense of identity and connection was established.

Over time, the DDA has become a key player in the local community serving a diverse constituency of residents and visitors reaching audiences of 12,000+ each year. In 2024 we hosted 187 professional and emerging artists- painters, sculptors, performers, musicians, and historians for 31 FREE arts & culture programs. 200+ volunteers worked over 1000 hours to make all community programs possible. We partnered with 54 local businesses and 29 local nonprofits. Over 11,000 individuals visited the Teton Geotourism Center to learn about Teton Valley's unique history and culture.

The Main Street Approach

With the designation in 2012 as an official Main Street organization under the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street program and The Idaho Department of Commerce, Downtown Driggs Association defined its approach to downtown revitalization strategies according to the Main Street America Four Point Approach:

PROMOTION of the downtown as the heart of Teton Valley, and the hub of activity, by showcasing Driggs’ unique characteristics. 

DESIGN the look and feel of the downtown, with improvements that feature our cultural identity

ORGANIZATION involves strengthening the Downtown Driggs Association and cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for growth

ECONOMIC VITALITY focuses on creating a supportive environment for downtown businesses towards a sustainable economy