Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts

08/31/2026

Imagination Place and the Hardin Center will be CLOSED on Monday, 9/7, in observance of Labor Day. There will be no GCSA/DDC/EYO/GYC lessons. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday!

08/28/2026

Come play, explore, create, and learn with us at Imagination Place Children’s Museum.  Imagination Place is under renovation and expansion ... Read More

08/26/2026

We’re so excited and proud to complete the exterior restoration of The Music Center at Temple Beth Israel, the home of our Etowah Youth Orchestras program.

We’re grateful to the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Etowah County Community Development Committee for funding this project to preserve this beautiful and incredibly culturally significant part of Gadsden’s history. Those two sources also assisted us with a complete roof replacement at The Temple last year.

Etowah Youth Orchestras

08/19/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS | ARTOBERFEST VENDOR SIGN-UP

We are excited to welcome artists from all venues with diverse talents and experiences to participate in Gadsden's annual Artoberfest on October 15th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This Art Festival is created specifically to foster a love for the ARTS in our area and to showcase the exciting artists that Gadsden and surrounding areas have to offer.

This form is designed to help us get to know you better and learn what type of art you can offer our festival. Your participation is valued and greatly appreciated.

The Artoberfest Festival will be held on Wall Street (N. 27th Street) in the Alabama City area of Gadsden, where the Theatre of Gadsden's Historic Ritz Theatre has been a beacon of arts and entertainment for over 75 years.

Any information submitted via this form will only be used to contact you regarding your interest and approval of your involvement in elevating connections throughout our community and will not be shared or sold to outside organizations.
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WHEN: October 15th - 5:00-8:00
WHERE: 27th Street - Gadsden, AL (Near the Ritz Theater - Theatre of Gadsden)
COST: $30 per vendor
PROVIDED: Tents for setup, a table for your booth. (If you need lighting, you must provide that.)
LIMITATIONS: 20 Vendors
HAPPENINGS: Live Entertainment, Bouncy House for Kids, Beer Garden for Adults, Arts Engagement

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Go to https://forms.gle/2QTb1mQ23C1dAGtm8 to apply!

Follow us for updates or visit: www.gadsdenmuseum.com/artoberfest
GMA: Gadsden Museum of Art |
Gadsden Arts Council

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08/19/2026

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

We're only weeks away from our fall kickoff for Gadsden Youth Chorus! 🎶 Under the direction of Judi Beaird, this year comes with new and exciting opportunities to learn and grow! Come make some new friends and experience the many benefits of singing in a choir!

Want more info? Join us at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts at 6:30 pm on Tuesday Sept 1st for an Info Meeting with details about our 2026-2027 year!

The Gadsden Youth Chorus is a project of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation.
For more information, call (256) 543-2787, ext 31 or visit us at culturalarts.org

08/18/2026

Register your child for our preschool or kindergarten intro to music group class! 🎼🎹🎶🥁

Please call 256-543-2787, ext 31 or email [email protected] for availability and information.

During Intro to Music, your child will learn about a variety of topics related to music including: basic music theory, how to play rhythm instruments, instrument families in the orchestra, vocal performance, renowned composers, performance etiquette and more! Each class will be extremely interactive, helping your child to develop a love and appreciation for music, while also developing their brains for higher function and cognition in everyday life.

Research has shown that introducing children to music at an early age aids in the development of fine and gross motor skills, helps them build connections within their community, expands communication and imagination, and enhances neurodevelopment, leading to higher cognitive function, auditory perception and memory. Through music, children learn to process emotions and express themselves in a unique way that is sometimes difficult to achieve through spoken or written language. Not only is music a powerful force in the lives of young children and families, it is extremely fun!

08/18/2026