In the spring of 1998 a group of local artists, with a deep breath and a leap of faith, decided that art education, based in Dawson City, was an idea whose time had come.

They formed the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS), a non-profit organization, with a mandate to create an environment for advancement of the arts.

In the autumn of 1998, DCAS obtained the historic Odd Fellows Hall in Dawson City.

With generous assistance from Governments, NGOs and the private sector (and countless hours of enthusiastic volunteer participation) major renovations were undertaken and the neglected structure was successfully resurrected.

In December 1999, KIAC proudly commenced operations.