While some cities are finding their arts communities languishing under the weight of a dicey economy, Charlotte is busy flaunting an embarrassment of riches. Over the last year and a half, the city has witnessed a flurry of activity, with the opening of five new or renovated facilities.
"Charlotte is a boomtown in many ways, even during the recession," says Robert Bush, senior vice president of cultural and community investment for the Arts & Science Council, a public art agent for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. "A lot of artists are moving here. There has also been an uptick lately in the presence of artists in the community becoming much more engaged. Facilities are opening that have brought a huge amount of attention to the city. This is the result of a planning process that took place in the early to mid-2000s, including public and private investment of $250 million."
One of the most anticipated openings was the 145,000-square-foot, five-story Mint Museum Uptown, which debuted last October as part of the Levine Center for the Arts complex. It includes two full floors of galleries, each featuring 12,000 square feet of permanent collection space, and showcases works from the likes of glass artist Dale Chihuly.
The multistory atrium, 240-seat James B. Duke Auditorium and the 11,600-square-foot Mattye and Marc Silverman Grand Room are open to groups.
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, also part of the complex, opened in January featuring works by Warhol, Miro, Calder and other artists. The museum is available for events, including the lobby and second-floor sculpture terrace.
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, another cultural outlet in the Levine complex, opened in fall 2009. Named for Harvey B. Gantt, Charlotte’s first African-American mayor, the new facility spans 44,000 square feet and is open to groups, with options such as galleries, a fourth-floor reception area and outdoor terrace, as well as a second-floor reception area.
Also part of the center is the 1,150-seat Knight Theater, which stages the NC Dance Theatre and Carolina Opera. The prefunction space links to the Bechtler via a glass partition, which can be opened for larger events. Also accessible at the Knight is the new 300-seat Wells Fargo Auditorium.
The NC Music Factory opened last year in refurbished mill buildings that are now used as a backdrop for nightly concerts, events and parties. Its Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre offers space for 5,000.
Groups can also experience Charlotte’s artistic flare outside the venues. The NoDa and South End neighborhoods both host frequent gallery crawls, where art galleries and shops stay open late and street vendors, live music and special events are featured.
Attendees can also take a walking tour with the Arts & Science Council’s free accompanying podcast to learn about the art pieces that decorate the public spaces in Uptown.