Celebrate at The Arts Center!
The Arts Center is available for rent throughout the year.
Our facility has a variety of rooms and spaces that can accommodate from 30 to 200 people. The Willson Exhibit Room can accommodate 30-50 people, while The Peggy Dow Center can hold 50-75, depending on seating arrangements. The Sue E. Trotter Theater can accommodate up to 200 in theater seating. The theater is a great venue for receptions, parties, dinners, meetings, and performances.
Rentals range from $150 to $2,000, depending on space(s) used. For more information on all programs and opportunities at The Arts Center, call (423)745-8781. You may sign up for our mailing list to receive up-to-date information on all programs of the Athens Area Council for the Arts.
When are spaces available?
Spaces in The Arts Center are available when not in use for AACA programming and events. The first step in the rental process is to confirm whether an appropriate space is available on your desired date(s).
How can I reserve a space?
Prospective renters may contact AACA's Facilities Coordinator or submit this inquiry form.
Please also familiarize yourself with our process and policies.
As we have many requests, The Arts Center is first come, first served. In order to reserve a date, please call (423) 745-8781 to inquire about available dates. If you have not visited The Arts Center, we invite you to tour the facility and see how we can help make your event a wonderful experience.
The Arts Center rooms are available for private events from 10:00 AM until midnight, unless otherwise approved. Spaces made available during The Arts Center hours are done so with the understanding that the public must be admitted into the exhibits, The Artisan Corner, and other public spaces unless special arrangements have been made and approved by AACA’s Executive Director.
Short-notice reservations may be available at the discretion of the executive director.
Special requirements
Smoking is not permitted within The Arts Center structure. Smoking is permitted outside wherever proper receptacles are placed; however, all smoking materials must be extinguished in the proper receptacles before entering the building.
Alcohol may be served or sold on the premises only by a licensed caterer, who also holds a liquor license, for consumption on the premises only. The licensed caterer must present proof of insurance to the Executive Director of The Arts Center prior to the event.
The throwing of rice or confetti will not be permitted either inside or outside The Arts Center. Decorations using glitter will not be allowed. Proper receptacles must be used under all candles to keep wax from melting on tables and the floor.
D.J. s and musical groups are allowed to perform with prior approval from The Arts Center. No smoke machines or pyrotechnic shows are allowed.
Rentals for high school functions must be officially sanctioned by the high school with signatures approving the activity from the principal and a faculty sponsor. One (1) chaperone for every 25 students will be required. Extra security may be required.
Safety
Renter/user is required to notify The Arts Center staff or security of any defective condition of the facility that the rental user noted while using the facility. The Renter must immediately clean or report all spills. Renter/user may not block or lock any fire exits. Renter/user may not use extension cords or equipment that has not been approved by the director.
Rental booking requirements
Reservations are encouraged at least sixty (60) days in advance. Reservations from out-of-state renters must be made using a credit card deposit. Changes that involve set up and staff time should be made 48 hours in advance. Upon cancellation of the event, the deposits will be refunded in full if cancellation is at least thirty (30) days before the event. After such time, the rental deposit will not be refunded but your security deposit will be refunded.
Catering
The name of the caterer must be submitted and approved by the director. References may be required. A surcharge of $75.00 may be required from the caterer. Caterer must follow all of The Arts Center guidelines for kitchen clean up including sweeping and mopping. Trash must be removed from the building.
Set-up and take-down of equipment
Deliveries and pick-ups must be scheduled during the occupied rental period on the day of the event. Storage space is not available. The Arts Center will not be responsible for the damage or loss of the renter’s property. The Arts Center staff will set up and take down the tables and chairs. Renters are required to use our tables and chairs. Other tables and chairs may not be brought into the building without the prior approval of the Executive Director of The Arts Center.
Removal is required of all catering equipment, flowers, trash, and any other items that were brought in for the event. Complete cleanup of the kitchen is required before leaving the facilities, which includes washing of all The Arts Center items and returning them to the proper cabinets, making sure the microwave, stove, and counter top are clean and sweeping the kitchen and removing all trash.
Staffing
Depending on the number of spaces requested, number of guests, and hours open, staff will be provided at the discretion of The Arts Center Executive Director. The Arts Center staff member(s) will be present for the sole purpose of providing security for The Arts Center.
If an event is planned which will host more than 100 guests, or where alcohol is served, additional security officers may be required. The renter may be charged the cost of security.
Parking
Parking is available at The Arts Center at no additional cost.
The Arts Center does not provide security for parking areas and assumes no liability for damage or theft occurring to vehicles while their owners are attending an event at The Arts Center.
Fundraisers
Fundraising events by organizations/individuals other than The Arts Center must be approved by the Executive Director. Invitations to any approved fundraising event must state “Benefits of this event are NOT designated for The Arts Center an independent 501c3 organization.” A penalty of $1000 will be levied if prior consent is not given by the Executive Director.
Political/Religious Functions
As the arts council is a registered 501c3 charitable organization it is against policy to rent facility for the use of any events that are political or religious in nature: this includes but is not limited to private fundraising events for a political candidate and worship services.
Event size
The number of guests permitted in The Arts Center for any event must be approved by the Executive Director. For a complete sit-down dinner the maximum number the Sue E Trotter Theater can accommodate is 135, The Peggy Dow Center is 60, and the Exhibit Room is 30.
The maximum occupancy for the main arts center building is 291. The maximum occupancy for the expansion is 172.
Check out our spaces
Sue E. Trotter Black Box Theater
The largest and most versatile space in The Arts Center is our 200 seat black box theater. We were proud to dedicate this space to the memory of the arts council's cofounder and first executive director, Sue E. Trotter, following a generous $50,000 donation by the Trotter Family in recognition of Sue's drive and dedication to AACA. This state of the art theater space has black floor, walls, and ceiling, making it ready to transition from a performance space for touring artists to community theatre productions, as well as wedding receptions, parties, dances, fashion shows, fundraisers, theater classes, and more.
Willson Exhibit Room and Exhibition Spaces
The Arts Center features four galleries that host rotating exhibits from local student art to traveling exhibitions curated by professionals in their field. Exhibition art is often offered for sale. Found in The Arts Center's main building, The Willson Exhibit Room’s art covered walls can make a lovely backdrop for smaller events such as receptions, showers, business meetings, and classes.
The Gallery Wall in The Peggy Dow Center is The Arts Center's newest gallery space, which is a contemporary room with tall ceilings, well-suited to showcase large-scale work.
Brenda & Foy Mitchell Creative Arts Wing
The Arts Center is thrilled to boast a building dedicated to arts instruction after more than four decades of making any space work as a classroom. On any given day, you can find people throwing clay in our dedicated Ceramics Studio,
The Alma Bolton Mayfield Visual Arts Studio is where students and artists can be found working on upcoming programming projects or taking classes in watercolor, drawing, scrapbooking, jewelry making, theatre, and more—for all ages.
