- Options Directory | Departments | Links | Site Map | Help | Contact Us History The Dougherty Arts Center stands on the same site once occupied by the Naval and Marine Reserve Center in 1947. In 1978 the space was dedicated to the City of Austin and named for the late Mary Ireland Graves Dougherty. Today the DAC offers a variety of visual and performing arts programs. The DAC houses an 1800 ...www.ci.austin.tx.us/dougherty