OUR STORY

The mission of the Center for the Arts is to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing cultural and economic enrichment through the arts.

The Center for the Arts opened to the public on December 1, 1995 and was originally funded by the City of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. In 2008 The Center became a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and now depends on the generosity of the public for funding. Since it’s opening, the Center for the Arts has been presenting theatrical productions, visual art exhibitions, music concerts, dance performances and educational classes.

The Center for the Arts is housed in an Italianate structure built in 1909 by the U.S. Department of Treasury on the site of an old livery station. The building originally served as the Post Office and in 1962 became the Linebaugh Library. After the library relocated, the building was renovated and became the Center for the Arts. The renovation of the building was awarded the Governor’s Award for Economic and Community Development.

Now, the Center for the Arts is dedicated to it's mission of spreading the arts through education initiatives and putting on quality, accessible performances for the middle Tennessee area. The Center for the Arts is funded primarily through grants and donations from both individuals and organizations such as the Tennessee Arts Commission, and is subject to the rules and regulations surrounding such gifts.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination based on a person’s race, color, or national origin. All Tennessee Arts Commission grantees are subject to compliance with this and other applicable federal laws.

If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination or to request an accommodation, contact Kim Johnson, Director of Arts Access at 615-532-9797 or the Tennessee Relay Center at 1-800-848-0298 (TTY) or 1-800-848-0299 (Voice).

OUR BOARD

The members of our 2024 Board of Directors are:

Matthew Stump, President

Randy Caldwell, Vice President

Jill Thomas, Secretary

Michael Browning, Treasurer

Matt Ledbetter, Past President

Dr. Ellen Slicker

Dr. Leah Tolbert Lyons

Lori Williams

Jackie Morgan

Regina Ward, Executive Director

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Consistent with the core mission of Center for the Arts, Inc., we are committed to maintaining a safe, cultural environment that promotes diversity and awareness (social consciousness), embraces inclusion and advocacy, and fosters equity and accountability among its programming, board members, staff, constituents, and the community at large in the effort to increase and enhance artistic excellence.