The Belton Center for the Arts emerged from a citizens gathering in March 1999. Our dedicated group and the community of Belton, as a whole, embraced the initial concept to produce an actively working organization. As a catalyst, we participated in the City of Belton Master Planning process in March 2000. During the summer 2001, we received a Planning Grant from the SC Arts Commission and complete
d our Operational Management Plan that includes Long and Short Term goals, program plans, and job descriptions. Due to the generosity of Kitt Booher, a cousin of the late Annie Lou Russell, and Belton residents Dick and Sandra Gaillard, the community of Belton was the recipient of a building on the Belton downtown square. The building is located on the north end of the city square, on the corner of River and Main Street next to Mary Cox Frame and Gallery Shop. It is felt that the art center benefits the entire Belton community, and adds another dimension to our community. The Arts Center is an integral component of the communities economic, cultural, and civic development. As the Master Plan, pg. 20 states, The Arts Center will reestablish a civic and cultural use in the heart of the Square. This type of public use will help draw folks downtown and begin to reposition it as a true center of the community. Mission Statement
The purpose of the Belton Center for the Arts shall be to encourage and stimulate the education, practice and appreciation of the arts. Our vision is one of facilitator and presenter of all forms of art (to include, but not be limited to, visual, performing, literary, and environmental arts) as well as a community cultural center. We will truly function as a "Center" for our community with the arts as its focus; creating an open and inviting atmosphere where everyone in the community can participate and ultimately enhance and further unite our community.
