Harvey B. Gantt Center

Harvey B. Gantt Center

Welcome to the Harvey B Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, formerly known as the Afro-American Cultural Center. Named after the city's first African American mayor, Harvey Gantt, this center celebrates all the contributions of Africans and African Americans to American culture. Not only does it serve as a history and education facility, but also as a community center, regularly presenting music, dance, theater, visual arts, film, arts education, and various outreach programs.

The exhibits presented at the Harvey B. Gantt Center are regularly changing, but all strive to spark 'engagement and conversations that inspire, empower, and enlighten all'. The building itself pays a historic homage, a design sure to spark a response. The building 'skin' is made up of material resembling quilt designs, representing the Underground Railroad era, as well as the traditional woven textiles from Western Africa.

Take a tour of the center with your group, either in a curriculum based school tour or in a private or public walking tour. School tours range from K-College, and all meet the common core standards. Tours take about 1 hour and help 'promote understanding of the cultural and historical context of the art'.