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The mission of Aiken Center for the Arts is to foster partnerships for the growth of an arts community and to provide arts education, cultural activities, and art opportunities that enrich the quality of life in Aiken.
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The vision of Aiken Center for the Arts is to be the most dynamic visual arts center in South Carolina and to develop a diverse and cohesive arts community in Aiken.
Programs & Services
Art Exhibitions
Aiken Center for the Arts currently has three galleries that rotate shows approximately every three or six weeks.
Click on our "Visit" page for current exhibits.
Classes
A variety of courses are offered in Spring and Fall for children, teenagers and adults, including a summer arts camp for kids.
Click on our "Learn" page for current classes.
Outside Visual Arts
While the focus of the Center has been the visual arts, it is rapidly expanding to include other disciplines and serves as a storehouse for artistic information for the community and its arts groups.
*Aiken Youth Orchestra
Since 2002, the Center has supported the development of the Aiken Youth Orchestra (AYO), which gives over 50 area students the opportunity to participate in a strings and orchestral program. Auditions are held twice per year with the program expanding to include many different instruments. Many of Aiken Youth Orchestra's participants continue their musical careers in college and beyond. Concerts are held several times per year usually during the holidays and in the Spring. Special appearances are made at Hopeland Gardens during their concert series, the Etheredge Center before the Augusta Symphony performances, Aikens' Makin', the Augusta Lynx Games and various other community events.
*Rental Facilities
With the new Brown Performance Pavilion, fully equiped kitchen and gallery space, Aiken Center for the Arts is rapidly evolving into a unique rental facility for parties, corporate events, receptions and conferences. Call (803) 641-9094 to make your reservations.
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Beginnings
Founded in 1972 by artists Pat Koelker and Nancy Wilds, Rose Hill Arts Center became a place for aspiring artists to create, to teach and learn. It was originally located at the Rose Hill Estate on Barnwell Avenue and soon became a haven for a variety of artistic disciplines. In 1993, the Center's current home at 122 Laurens Street became available, and Rose Hill evolved into Aiken Center for the Arts. The name was chosen due to the Center's central location in the downtown area.
Past Renovations
With a need to expand, the Aiken Center for the Arts completed Phase I of its renovations in the fall of 2002. This initial project cost $350,000 and was entirely funded. This project included the installation of new stairs and a much needed sprinkler system. Also, new state of the art offices and conference room were finished upstairs at the front of the facility. Downstairs, a new gallery and storage space capped off the project.
"Painting the Future" - A Capital Campaign
The Center's ongoing $1.5 million Capital Campaign is funding the completed conversion of 8,000 square feet of second floor space into a seven-room learning center, Patrick Brooks Gallery and the state-of-the-art Brown Performance Pavilion. Construction began in April 2005 and finished in August 2005. The Learning Center, Brooks Gallery and Brown Pavilion are now open for classes and engagements.
This renovation is providing housing for the new and innovative programs for children and seniors that will be funded in part with funds raised by the 2003-2004 Horseplay event.
For giving opportunities and/or sponsorship information, please contact Kristin Brown, Executive Director, at (803) 641-9094.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the businesses and individuals who have already made their pledge. Coming soon to this page, you will find a listing of patrons who made contributions at the Masterpiece Level.
Art Center Celebrates 35 Years
Aiken Center for the Arts celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary promoting Arts education and Cultural events. Current activities in the center include monthly exhibitions in five galleries, performance experiences, community outreach programs, ongoing art classes and lectures for adults and children, which are held in the second floor classrooms and in the Brown Performance Pavilion.
