Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts

On the corner of Fifth and Broad in historic downtown Gadsden sits an unusual building. Its triangular shape and enormous cylinder have come to stand for the educational opportunities and endless entertainment the arts bring to a community. The Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, under the direction of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation, opened in 1990, and today more than 100,000 people visit the exhibits, performances and functions held at the Center each year.

The Hardin Center is home to

Three galleries that feature a wide range of changing national and local exhibits.

Centerstage Presents sponsors dinner theaters, courtyard concerts, chamber music and more.

Imagination Place Children’s Museum located adjacent to the Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in the historic Kyle Building. IPCM reaches thousands of children through museum visits and educational outreach.

The Gadsden Community School for the Arts which offers instruction in strings, woodwind, brass, voice and more.

The Downtown Dance Conservatory which offers quality classical ballet and contemporary dance education. With an enrollment of over 400 students, the dancers are trained in the renowned syllabus work of the Royal Academy of Dance.

The nationally celebrated Etowah Youth Orchestras featuring 300 talented young musicians.