Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta: A Local Guide to Performances, Classes, and Community

The Southwest Arts Center is one of Atlanta’s key cultural hubs on the west side of the city, offering theater, music, dance, visual arts, and community programs all under one roof. If you live in southwest Atlanta, are visiting family nearby, or are looking for a neighborhood arts center instead of heading all the way to Midtown, this is a place worth knowing.

Where the Southwest Arts Center Is and What It Offers

The Southwest Arts Center is located in southwest Fulton County, serving neighborhoods like Cascade, Ben Hill, Camp Creek, and the surrounding areas.

Typical location and contact details:

• Address: 915 New Hope Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
• Phone (main line – commonly listed): 404‑613‑3220
• Area served: City of Atlanta (especially the southwest side) and unincorporated southwest Fulton County

Because public facilities sometimes update their hours, programs, or phone lines, it’s a good idea to call ahead before visiting or check the most current information through Fulton County Arts & Culture resources.

The center is designed as both a professional performance venue and a community arts facility, so you’ll see a mix of local productions, touring shows, visual art exhibits, youth programs, and adult classes.

Key Features of the Southwest Arts Center

Performance Theater

The Southwest Arts Center includes a theater-style performance space that regularly hosts:

• Plays and dramatic productions
• Musical performances and concerts
• Dance performances (modern, African, jazz, ballet)
• Comedy and spoken word events
• Community showcases and recitals

You’ll often see collaborations with local Atlanta theater companies, independent producers, and community groups, especially those highlighting Black arts, southern storytelling, and Atlanta-based talent.

For locals, this means you can often see professional-quality shows without having to drive to Midtown or Downtown.

Visual Arts Gallery and Exhibits

The facility may also feature gallery space for rotating art exhibits, which can include:

• Local Atlanta painters, photographers, and sculptors
• Student and youth art from surrounding schools and programs
• Themed exhibits celebrating Black history, Southern culture, or community stories

These exhibitions are usually free or low-cost to view and can be a good stop if you’re exploring arts spaces across Atlanta’s west and southwest side.

Classes, Workshops, and Programs

One of the biggest draws for residents is the range of arts education programs. While offerings change over time, there are some common categories that people in Atlanta look for at the Southwest Arts Center.

Youth Programs

Families in southwest Atlanta often use the center as a creative outlet for kids and teens. Programs may include:

• Theater and acting classes
• Dance lessons (hip hop, modern, African, jazz, etc.)
• Music programs (choir, instrumental basics, rhythm and percussion)
• Visual arts classes (drawing, painting, mixed media, crafts)
• Summer camps and school-break camps

These programs are typically structured in sessions or semesters, with clear age ranges and skill levels. Some are after-school or weekend-based, making them easier to fit into a school schedule.

Adult and Community Arts Classes

For adults and older teens in Atlanta, the center often provides:

• Beginning and intermediate acting and theater workshops
• Dance and fitness-based classes (e.g., line dancing, African dance, movement classes)
• Creative writing or spoken word sessions
• Visual arts workshops (painting, drawing, printmaking, photography basics)

These classes can be especially appealing if you live in Camp Creek, Cascade, Fairburn Road, or Ben Hill and don’t want to cross town for an arts class.

Typical Schedule, Hours, and How to Plan Your Visit

The Southwest Arts Center doesn’t function like a standard retail space with simple 9–5 hours. Instead, you’ll usually find:

• Administrative / office hours: Weekdays, roughly business hours
• Class times: Afternoons, evenings, and weekends, depending on the program
• Performance times: Most often evenings and weekends

Practical tips for visiting:

• Call ahead to confirm box office hours if you’re buying tickets in person.
• If you’re signed up for a class, arrive 10–15 minutes early to find your room and get settled.
• For evening performances, build in extra time for parking and check-in.

Because schedules, ticketing, and registration systems can change, Atlanta residents usually find it easiest to get details by phone or via the county arts & culture channels before heading out.

Parking, Transportation, and Getting There From Around Atlanta

Driving and Parking

The Southwest Arts Center is in a suburban-style area of southwest Atlanta, so driving is common.

• Parking is usually on-site or in nearby lots.
• It’s generally more straightforward than parking in Downtown or Midtown venues.

If you’re coming from:

• Downtown Atlanta: Expect roughly 20–30 minutes by car in normal traffic, using I‑20 or I‑285 and then local roads.
• Midtown/Buckhead: Plan more time, especially during rush hour.
• Cascade / Ben Hill / Camp Creek: It’s typically a shorter drive on surface streets.

MARTA and Public Transit

Reaching the Southwest Arts Center by MARTA usually involves:

1. Riding a rail line (often Red or Gold) to a southwest-side station such as H.E. Holmes or College Park, depending on your starting point.
2. Taking a bus route toward the New Hope Road / Campbellton Road area.

Bus routes and schedules change periodically, so check current MARTA bus routes that serve New Hope Road SW or nearby intersections before planning a transit trip.

If you depend on transit, many Atlanta residents combine MARTA + rideshare for evening performances, particularly when bus frequency is lower at night.

What Kind of Events Happen at Southwest Arts Center?

Programming can vary widely through the year, but it often includes:

• Drama and theater productions rooted in Black culture and Southern stories
• Dance productions by local companies and school-based groups
• Holiday or seasonal performances (e.g., winter or spring showcases)
• Community festivals, readings, or cultural celebrations
• Youth recitals and showcases, especially for dance or acting programs

Events might be produced by:

• Fulton County Arts & Culture programs
• Independent producers and directors based in Atlanta
• Local schools, arts groups, and nonprofit organizations

For Atlanta residents, this means the center often feels locally grounded—you may recognize neighborhoods, churches, schools, or community organizations participating.

Ticketing, Registration, and Costs

Performance Tickets

Ticket prices at the Southwest Arts Center are generally modest compared with major downtown venues, but they vary by production. You may see:

• Standard adult tickets
• Discounted youth/senior tickets
• Group rates for larger parties (varies by show)

Some community events may be free or pay-what-you-can, especially if they are part of public arts initiatives.

Class and Program Fees

Arts classes and camps usually require:

• Advance registration
• Session-based fees, sometimes with payment plans or limited scholarships, depending on the program

Because these details shift over time, people in Atlanta typically:

• Call the main number to ask about current class offerings and costs
• Request registration dates for upcoming sessions or camps
• Ask if there are residency requirements (e.g., Fulton County residents vs. non-residents)

How Southwest Arts Center Fits Into Atlanta’s Arts Landscape

Atlanta has a wide range of arts venues—from large institutions like the Fox Theatre and Woodruff Arts Center to smaller neighborhood spaces. The Southwest Arts Center fills a distinctive role:

• It’s a community-centered facility in the southwest part of the city, where large arts venues are more spread out.
• It tends to highlight local talent, Black arts, and community voices that reflect the demographics and culture of surrounding neighborhoods.
• It provides access to arts education for families who might not regularly travel to Midtown, Inman Park, or Decatur for classes.

If you already participate in arts programs at spaces like the Dominico’s, Adamsville Recreation Center, or local churches and schools, the Southwest Arts Center can be a next step for more formal performances and training without leaving your side of town.

Quick Overview: Is Southwest Arts Center Right for You?

Below is a simplified look at what different Atlanta residents might use the center for:

How to Get the Most Current Information

Because public arts centers adjust their schedules and offerings frequently, Atlanta residents often use this approach:

1. Call the Southwest Arts Center main line to confirm:

   • Current hours
   • Upcoming productions and gallery shows
   • Registration dates for classes and camps
   • Any residency or age requirements

2. Ask about accessibility details, such as:

   • Wheelchair access
   • Seating arrangements
   • Assistive listening options, if available

3. Plan ahead for evenings and weekends, when performances, recitals, and events are most common.

By doing a quick check-in before you go, you can make sure you’re catching the right show, enrolling in the right class, and making the most of what the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta has to offer.