Currently, the administrative offices of VAC are located on site, and eventually there will be an education center, art studios, classrooms, and visiting artist's residence. The beautiful wooded site is located at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village, near Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. A natural fern, 'ohi'a, and koa forest envelops this property of 7.4 acres, where an ongoing project to restore the native rainforest and remove invasive plants is underway.

In addition to generous donations from the community and local businesses and foundations, primary funding to support campus construction has been provided by the Economic Development Administration (a federal agency under the Department of Commerce), and through a legislative appropriation by the State of Hawai'i. The U.S.D.A.'s Rural Development Office has granted VAC a low-interest loan that will be used to finance Phase II of campus construction.

Niaulani means "brushed by the heavens" or "billowing heavens." The name describes the way clouds and mist drift silently through the moist rainforest. For thousands of years, people have found their way to this volcanic region to nourish their creative beings. Nearby Kilauea Volcano, where the Hawaiian goddess Pele makes her home, has inspired ancient hula, mele, and ka'ao. At Niaulani, artists, performers, writers, and cultural practitioners from all over the world will come together to create and celebrate this magical place. Under the canopy of ever-changing skies, they will share ideas, techniques, and experiences.