Carnegie Visual Arts Center - Decatur, Alabama

Introduction

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center, nestled in the heart of Decatur, Alabama, is a gem that serves as a cultural hub, showcasing a diverse range of visual arts and fostering community engagement. Housed in the historic Carnegie Library building, this arts center is a testament to the city's commitment to arts and culture. Let's delve into the details of this captivating venue.

Main Services

• Exhibits: The Carnegie Visual Arts Center rotates its exhibits regularly, featuring a mix of local, regional, and national artists. The galleries highlight a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
• Events: The center hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as art openings, workshops, and artist talks. These events provide opportunities for the community to engage with the arts and learn from practicing artists.
• Art Classes and Workshops: The Carnegie offers a variety of art classes and workshops for both adults and children. These educational programs cater to diverse artistic interests and skill levels.
• Art Rental Program: The center's art rental program allows individuals and businesses to borrow original artwork for a nominal fee, supporting local artists and enhancing spaces with rotating art displays.
• Membership and Volunteering: The Carnegie encourages annual membership, offering benefits such as free admission to exhibits, discounted class fees, and invitations to special events. Volunteering opportunities are also available for those interested in contributing to the center's mission.

Location and Access

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center is situated at 207 Church St NE, Decatur, AL 35601, United States, in the historic district of Decatur. The center is easily accessible by car, with nearby parking options including a wheelchair-accessible parking lot. Public transportation is also available, with the Decatur City Transit bus service operating nearby. The center is conveniently located within walking distance of several restaurants and shops, making it an ideal destination for a day out.

Featured Characteristics

• Historic Building: The Carnegie Visual Arts Center resides in the beautifully restored Carnegie Library building, constructed in 1904. The architectural details and historic charm of the building add to the center's unique character and appeal.
• Wheelchair Accessibility: The center is committed to ensuring accessibility for all visitors. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet, as well as a ramp to the main gallery level.
• Good for Kids: The Carnegie Visual Arts Center welcomes families and offers art activities and classes specifically designed for children. The center also hosts family-friendly events, making it an ideal destination for cultural outings with the whole family.

Practical Information

• Phone: 256-341-0562
• Website: carnegiearts.org
• Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM; Closed Sunday and Monday
• Admission: Free

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Visitors consistently praise the Carnegie Visual Arts Center for its engaging and thought-provoking exhibits, which showcase a variety of local and regional artists with national reputations. The intimate size of the galleries allows for a close-up appreciation of the artwork. The center's commitment to accessibility and family-friendliness is also highly appreciated by visitors. The historic setting and the center's role in fostering community engagement contribute to its overall positive reputation, with an average rating of 4.7/5 on Google My Business based on 99 reviews.

👍 Reviews of Carnegie Visual Arts Center

SisterEdith B.

5/5

The exhibits change often, and all are intriguing and worth seeing. Highlight a variety of local and regional artists, many with national reputations. The space is small enough that you can see everything in an hour, but large enough to make a trip worthwhile. It's an hour from my home, and I have only missed one exhibit in two years. Add the Carnegive Visual Arts Center to your must-see list.

Moriah J.

5/5

My daughter attended Camp Carnegie twice this summer. She had a wonderful time and I was blown away by the amount of activities and projects the camp leaders and teaches did was great. They did painting, work with natural dyes, making felt, making paper, drawing, yoga, spent time gardening/growing things, music, singing and much more. Such a quality program - will definitely do it again next year!

Hardy D. 3.

5/5

The exhibits are World Class curated by proffesionals you might expect to find in larger cities. And youd be correct! The Carnegie is a true resource for our community dedicated to making the fine arts accessible to all with a view to enhancing the everyday lives of those of us lucky enough to live close enough to walk. There are yoga classes in the main gallery 2 nights a week . Drop ins welcome. And no mention of the Carnegie would be complete without acknowledging the be Carnegie Carnival, the best Mardi Gras celebration north of I-10. Whenever I have out of town visitors this is one of our first stops and it never fails to impress.

Kay C.

5/5

Beautiful setting for exhibits. The space lends itself to interesting juxtapositions & positional commentary. A terrific frame for the exhibit we saw of Jose Betancourt's photographic revisiting of Cuba.

Daniel L.

5/5

Carnegie hosted my wife’s surprise birthday party, they were so helpful and made the experience wonderful.

Tim W.

5/5

We enjoy visiting the Carnegie every 6 weeks for the featured artist event. Always a good time with a very good group of people.

Tommy C.

5/5

Awesome display courteous friendly staff. Knowledgeable about Decatur.

Tim A. M.

5/5

Great local museum that features a lot of local artists work. Best part admission is free! We went on a Wednesday afternoon and had the place to ourselves. It is located downtown