In its first year of operation, Charlotte’s Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture surpassed projections with 67,000 people visiting the facility to view exhibits, engage with artists and take classes. About 57,000 had been expected.

For CEO David Taylor, that’s just the beginning.

“I see the center as a journey, and we are not yet what we can become as an institution.  We can set a blueprint for what a cultural center can be – galvanizing our community and our young folks. Ultimately, I’d like to see us attract 100,000 people annually.”

The Gantt, named after Charlotte’s first African-American mayor, opened in October 2009 with a grand opening celebration that attracted some 10,000 people. Located on the campus of the Levine Center for the Arts in uptown Charlotte, the 46,500-square-foot center is run by the Afro-American Cultural Center, an organization dating to the 1970s.   It is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the North Carolina Arts Council and the Arts & Science Council.

Taylor calls the Gantt’s first year “fast and furious,” citing 10 exhibits that brought compelling and nationally acclaimed artists to Charlotte. Among them were Juan Logan and David C. Driskell. The Gantt also partnered with the McColl Center for an artist-in-residence program and offered a number of educational programs for children and adults.

Plans for 2011 are ambitious. A new exhibit, “What My Mother Told Me: The Art of Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons,” opens Jan. 28. A new lecture series, sponsored by Duke Energy, will be announced soon. In September, to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Charlotte’s native son, Romare Bearden, the Gantt will partner with the Mint Museum of Art (located across the street) for a communitywide celebration. Long term, Taylor hopes to add programming around the performing arts.

“Our efforts will run the gamut of our mission, touching on African-American art, history and culture – all the things relevant to our community,” he says.

Current exhibits include works by Sam Gilliam and Kevin Cole, as well as “Charlotte Collects African-American Art,” which features pieces from local residents’ collections that includes works by both established and emerging artists.  A Kwanza celebration is scheduled for Dec. 26 from 1 to 5 p.m.

551 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 704.547.3700

www.ganttcenter.org

Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Saturday; 1-5 pm, Sunday.  Closed Christmas, New Year’s Day and other major holidays. General admission: $8.