Carver Community Cultural Center

Description

In 1905 The Carver saw its inception as THE COLORED COMMUNITY HOUSE.

The facility was rooted in a tradition of community involvement and a strong commitment to education.

In the years following World War I, the Colored Library Association received support from the War Services Board to finance construction of an assembly building for the African American community.

In 1929 bonds were sold by the City of San Antonio in the amount of $75,000.00 for construction of the building located on the corner of Hackberry and Center Streets.

The Facility opened its doors in 1930 as the Colored Branch of the San Antonio Library and Auditorium. The center was a focal point for educational, cultural, political, and social activities for San Antonio's African-American community.

Nationally acclaimed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Paul Robeson, Louis Armstrong, Charlie 'Bird' Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Cab Calloway, and Billy Eckstein performed at the Center.

In 1976 the Center's mission was expanded, mandating that the Carver would be a multiethnic and multicultural performing and visual arts center with a primary focus on the artistic achievements of African Americans.

Today the Carver Community Cultural Center continues the tradition of bringing some of the Nations top talent to San Antonio to perform on the Carver stage. The Center also offers arts classes to the public through the Carver School for Visual and Performing Arts.

Located just east of downtown San Antonio, the Carver Community Cultural Center (the Carver) is an historical center of the community’s African-American culture. Named in honor of internationally esteemed agricultural chemist George Washington Carver, the Carver embodies this great man’s philosophy and spirit:

“Start where you are, with what you have.
Make something of it. Never be satisfied.”

The mission of the Carver Community Cultural Center is to celebrate the diverse cultures of our world, nation and community, with emphasis on its African and African-American heritage, by providing challenging artistic presentations, community outreach activities and educational programs.

-from http://www.thecarver.org/about
http://www.sanantonio.gov/