The Contemporary Dayton, (The Co) formerly Dayton Visual Arts Center, was founded in 1991 by a coalition of Dayton-area artists, art supporters, and visual arts professionals who saw a need for more interaction between the public and regional artists. The Co's founders established an organization that allows the community to see and experience the wealth and diversity of visual art being created in the area and to get to know these artists. In its 30-year history, The Co has presented a schedule of exhibitions that has explored the variety and diversity of the visual arts in communities from Dayton, Ohio and internationally.