I took a drawing class at this art space during a particularly difficult move, and it became so much more than just a class--it was a true place of refuge. The instructor is an exceptionally talented artist, but what stood out even more was her ability to teach with patience, clarity, and presence. Her instruction created a calm, focused environment where it was easy to slow down, breathe, and simply be in the process of making art. Each class felt like a meditative respite. For a few hours, I was able to step out of the stress of life and reconnect with creativity, observation, and a sense of inner quiet. That is a rare and meaningful gift. The space itself is welcoming and supportive, and you can feel the care that goes into both the teaching and the environment. I'm deeply grateful for this experience and would highly recommend this art space to anyone looking not only to grow their skills, but to find a peaceful, restorative creative community. read more

This is a cool building for kids programs and they offer so many fun camps. They teach lots of different styles of art. The one aged group performed a fun play. Check it out. read more

The Arts Center - Art Schools Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

This is a wonderful place to connect with community and family. It's fun for Art classes, concerts and community acting.

The Carrboro Arts Center's music scene is back. Delighted with the monthly dance parties with live music, a good sound system, dance floor which is easy on the feet and legs, and an intimate space where you can interact with the band. Like being in a big city night club but with the benefit of ample parking. Very excited that Pop Up Chorus has returned. read more

I love this place. Support the local arts! Plenty of places within walking distance to eat and drink before or after your show--there is something to keep everyone and anyone happy. A great evening out! read more

We headed here after seeing a flyer about a Christmas craftshow in the space. Every room in the Center was teeming with activity from kids crafts to wine tasting to sales tables. The space was tight with so many people and so much stuff for sale. But somehow it all worked...except for the gigantic strollers. Those needed to stay home. The theater area is interesting and I could see how it could work for a variety of different performances. And the fact that it has plenty of parking out front is definitely a bonus. read more

The thing I appreciate when coming to hear an artist is how intimate the space is. No matter where you sit it feels like you're up close and personal. If you get there early to get in the front of the line there's an even better chance to get a close seat since most times the tickets are general admission, although members/friends who are donors to the Arts Center get priority seating. Also limited parking in the lot so another reason to get there early. The actual space itself has changed a lot over the last 20 years as it got smaller and smaller and other businesses opened up in what was once theirs. What is left of the Arts Center is well utilized and there's always a great selection of classes to take or musicians to come and hear. I know they're working on a shoestring and with a small staff, but one thing I would ask is to actually clean the stage every now and then. It's always so covered with dust that if an artist is really getting into their music and starts stomping their foot it creates a such a cloud of dust that the lights pick up as it swirls through the air. I'm surprised some of them haven't started coughing from it! read more

The Arts Center has plays and music and arts of all kinds. One might even say it is a center for such things, as though arts gravitate towards it. You never quite know what's going to happen here, but I guarantee you that there is something going on here. It probably has more to do with painting or musical theater than it does with baby murder, but that's less of a guarantee. Not to say that they don't support baby murder. They just REALLY support painting. I've been here several times during the school year for theatrical productions from various people, and they always do a great job. Tickets are affordable and the space is fun and indy. There's also an art gallery attached to the center, the East End Gallery. It's a tiny space, but it's industrial homey, much like the rest of the center, and shows change regularly to keep you guessing. Right now there's a show there from Eduardo A-Spanish-Last-Name, this abstract Argentine artist with multiple sclerosis who paints things that are bright and trippy. Enjoy. read more

The Arts Center - cars parked in front of the building - Art Schools Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

There's nothing like the ArtsCenter. Its a non-profit that provides a variety of classes for youth and adult (but not teenagers), and if you're looking for a drawing or painting or photography class its pretty much the only game in town. I've taken a couple of classes at the ArtsCenter, but find it very difficult to find out what the heck they offer and how to sign up. The website is almost completely disorganized, and uses jargon like "art block" that doesn't make any sense and they offer no explanation. Is that sculpture made out of blocks? Or maybe block prints? The only way to really find out what's going on is to pick up the printed course catalog, if you can remember to find out when its published, since there's a short window before the classes are either full or already started. My daughter has taken about a half-dozen classes there, and the teachers are always enthusiastic and great with kids. As she's grown older though, they don't offer anything past age 12, so there's a big donut hole until age 16 when they're allowed to attend adult classes. I was hoping to be able to get her into classes to socialize with other teenagers, but there's no programming for that age. read more

I'm reviewing this as a parent this time as my daughter took a class this summer and goes to their after school program three times a week. My daughter can be slow to warm up, a little wary at times but the programs here have really brought her out by the warmth of the instructors, and presenting and participating in various forms of art. She loves going there. The have a transportation from elementary schools to the center which is very reasonable. They have a snack and then every week or two they have a different artist in residence come in to teach. This last week was performing arts (dance) and next week they start pottery. The classes are broken up into two groups of younger and older kids. They also serve as audiences for each other as well. They also have many classes after school as well that start next week. She wants to go to another one, she likes it so much. I feel good about this place as a parent and am so happy we found something she can put her heart into. read more

I decided to take a 1-day Cartooning class at the ArtsCenter and was amused most of the time. The ArtsCenter is in itself great for people watching and my cartooning class was definitely a unique experience. The classrooms are hidden from view, in the rear of the building where you'd suppose the janitor's closets are located or where the office managers lurk. Instead those rooms and hallways have been transformed into studios that seem to have been around since the 70s. There was the sound of light hammering from the jewelry-making class, and some melodramatic performer coming from one of the opposite corners of the room. I don't say this to downplay the ArtsCenter rather I'd say it really adds to the experience.. if that's what you want. If you want to learn a simple craft from a kind but unkept hippy with a knack for some random artform, the Carrboro ArtsCenter may be that place. Don't expect anything fancy, rather know you're in for down-to-earth-granola-my-canvas kind of art and the people that entails. read more

Question: Should you take a photography or music class at the Carrboro Arts Center? Answer: HECK NO. Do not take any class here that involves any kind of listening. The classrooms are so noisy, you won't be able to hear anything. They're also pretty filthy and gross. As for the classes, they definitely don't care about the quality of their instructors. They don't even do end-of-class evaluations Shoddy! read more

We saw Wanda Jackson here last night, and I admit it's been too long since I've been to a show at the Arts Center. It's a small, comfortable venue with good sound and seating and a small but decent refreshment bar. The venue is very clean with lots of bright,open space in the gallery. Parking is always a challenge in the area, especially when there's a competing show at Cat's Cradle, in the same building, but we lucked into a spot. The only negative: we were picking up Will Call tickets and had to deal with the rudest, most unpleasant little man, who made it clear that dealing with the unwashed masses was beyond disdainful to his sensibilities. I really can't imagine what his gripe was since those of us picking up tickets only needed him to hand them over-- we'd already paid by phone. He was not having to handle any real transactions or our filthy money. The Arts Center could do better with quality of help, in other words. read more

Calling it an Arts Center is pretty appropriate, because it is indeed part art gallery, part performance hall. I briefly walked through the gallery portion of Arts Center, it's really just your typical show piece gallery. Interior is pretty bright, white walls, wide space in the hall, and plenty lighting. The performance hall, with the stadium seating, is not too big so there is still that intimate connection with the performer, but not too small that there's no leg room to stretch out. The sound board guy was very helpful during the performance, with lighting, with crowd control, even jumped up the stage and help with the microphone fixture. Perhaps there will be more events here that I would love to attend. read more

I really love this venue for shows. Not a bad seat in the house. I have no idea about the classes though, so I won't comment on them. Just... when I see that a musical act I like is playing here, I am always very pleased, because I know the sound will be top notch, and I will be able to see well. Nice comfy seats. Aaaaand, I'll get Milltown mussels before I head in for the show. :D read more

The Arts Center - a stage with a band performing - Art Schools Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

This facility has a fantastic stage for shows. The hope that the NCCAF is here next year. The facility itself has alot of interesting artwork hanging up all over the lobby. You have to look for it, but there are some great pictures by 1 and 3 year olds in the corner. I was quite tickled by them. I can't vouch for the quality of the classes, I was just there to perform. But I certainly hope to be back there next year on the mainstage for some hilarity. read more

This is a great venue in downtown Carrboro that has great classes and camps regularly, and they have had some amazing concerts here and some of them have been national acts.......I have seen some great art work displayed here.......The volunteers are also awesome here.....Definitely a great place!!!! read more

This is an interesting venue. Part gallery, part performance art, part classroom, part art show space. I don't come frequently since I don't live near the Carrboro area, but I have made it out for a couple of art shows. A friend of mine is an active craftsmen, and always gives us the heads-up on any of her shows. The last one we went to was around Christmas -- it was fun to browse the eclectic offerings that were there, but honestly, it's a really teeny room to house much. So we were in and out in a quick 15 minutes. The gallery, though, is fairly large and is fun to walk through and browse if you happen to be in the area. read more

The Arts Center - a sign on a brick wall - Art Schools Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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Arts Center is a great spot to catch a live performance. Its got a really intimate stage and pseudo-stadium seating inside its small auditorium. The size and acoustics however are perfect for an up close concert or performance. On this visit I saw folk singer Todd Snider and prior to that I went for Saxapahaw's Paper Hand Puppet Intervention show. I recall going here years ago for a jazz trio performance as well. Good unpretentious spot that also serves surprisingly good, locally roasted coffee, and great local beers on tap (and some in bottles). read more

Last Thursday, June 7th, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro hosted YouTube darling and ukulele virtuoso, Jake Shimabakuro. Jake performed to a sold-out, high energy crowd. There was no opening act but the lobby filled up long before the show began. Much of the audience brought along their own ukuleles with the hope of meeting Jake and grabbing an autograph or a photo opportunity. After the set, Jake was kind enough to remain in the lobby and visit with everyone in the audience who stayed after the show. This display of devotion to the fans is a rare occurrence for a touring act and added significantly to the overall experience. The show itself featured an incredible display of skill and prowess on the part of Jake. Coming into the show having seen only a few of his YouTube videos, I did not expect the kind of stage presence and high-energy performance that he offered. He mostly performed original compositions, with a number of covers thrown in. As would be expected, the covers received some of the greatest anticipation and applause. Jake covered a varied group of artists including The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Adele, and Queen, all of which received considerable audience support. The audience itself was incredibly respectful towards the artist; with my own concert-going experience mostly in rock music, it was a nice change of pace to be a part of an audience that remained dead silent and attentive during slower, quieter songs. Jake was quite talkative with the audience in between songs, discussing the songs' origins and being quite grateful to the audience for their support. The best part of the show came when Jake discussed his recent trip to Japan, during which he was able to experience traditional Japanese folk music being played on a 13-string native Japanese instrument known as the "koto." Being so moved by the music, he began adapting it to the ukulele immediately following his return to his native Hawaii. He christened the song "Sakura, Sakura," a beautiful composition which captivated the audience, myself included, and showcased the true scope of Jake's talents. If I had one complaint, it would be the short nature of the set that Jake played. Lacking an opener, the show lasted less than an hour and a half, something I would usually be a little disappointed about. With the sheer physically exerting nature of Jake's ukulele playing, however, it's likely that his fingers simply cannot sustain longer sets. A solution to this could be the addition of a relevant opening act in the future, not for the sake of warming up the audience, but simply to expose the audience to a different artist and extend the time of the set. Overall, the show was fantastic. The venue, coming in at around 350 seats, was small enough to provide an intimate setting for the audience, but large enough to ensure that the energy remained extremely high throughout. The audience comprised of young and old alike; clearly, Jake's music and personality appears to a wide swath of people. The addition of Jake meeting with everyone in the audience after the show was simply icing on the cake. If Jake ever returns to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area, I will certainly be making plans to attend. read more

Love this place so much that I volunteer here. Great staff and a variety of venues and classes to choose from. It's just too groovy to go on about!!! Check it out!!! read more

I have been on Local Arts panels with the Artscenter Executive Director and we have hosted the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival at the Artscenter since 2006. DSI has had an Artist-in-Residence help run afterschool programs and I highly recommend the Youth Performing Arts Conservatory. The Artscenter has programming for the entire community. Support them. read more

The ArtsCenter is nice: it's a performing arts center in addition to having some art of its own. In both cases the concept works: the art is nice within the museum, and the performing arts area is also a nice touch, with a large enough room for interesting independent performances. Overall, a nice place to go and watch a show. read more

My kids took a class here and I like the venue and the instructors. They work hard to make sure everyone has a good experience, and the classes are very affordable. On the downside, the head of the programs, Feedra, is really difficult and rude if you need an kind of help or information. Otherwise, a very good experience that I would have rated higher than three stars. read more