After exploring the quirky charm of Carhenge, the next stop for art enthusiasts in Alliance is the Carnegie Art Center, where a rich collection of creativity and inspiration awaits. The center attracts artists from Nebraska and surrounding states, including South Dakota and Colorado, and is committed to offering opportunities for cultural expression and the enjoyment of the visual, performing, and literary arts.

The story of the Carnegie Arts Center began in the late 1800s, soon after Alliance became a city. At the time, the Alliance Women’s Club applied for a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Fund, which, over time, has given over $56 million dollars towards building libraries. In 1912, construction was complete and the library opened to the public. For over six decades books and patrons passed in and out of the historic building. In 1980, the library moved to a new location and, for the first time in many years, the building sat empty. Deterioration set it, leaving this historic gem in Alliance on the brink of ruin. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there!

In 1987, the Carnegie Arts Center purchased the building and embarked on an extensive renovation, which was completed in 1993. Six years later, the fine arts extended outdoors, beyond the walls of the Center, when the Carnegie Sculpture Garden opened. The Garden features endowed sculpture pieces, a nostalgic Memory Walk created with engraved bricks, and beautiful plants and flowers. Back inside, you’ll find a variety of visual arts exhibits presented in one of three galleries: the Marjorie Leu Skala Gallery, Gallery B, and the Studio Gallery. Approximately 18 exhibits are displayed annually at the Carnegie Arts Center.

While filled with many incredible forms of artistic expression, one particular piece is uniquely special. In 2012, to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Carnegie Arts Center Building, the Center commissioned Dick Termes to create a piece honoring the past of this historic structure. His art is internationally acclaimed, recognized from San Francisco to Paris and from New York to Japan. The one-of-a-kind spherical painting, known as a Termesphere, features prominent members of the Carnegie Arts Center, memorializing their imagination and dedication to the arts.

Today, the Carnegie Arts Center, along with rotating galleries, annually hosts fund raising events, exhibit tours, artist receptions, and provides an expansive educational outreach program. Whether you have a passion for fine art, a deep love of history, or are simply seeking cultural enrichment, the Carnegie Arts Center in Alliance is the perfect place to stop!