Equally rich in history and functionality, the Carnegie Arts Center in Goodland is where art meets opportunity and culture meets creativity.

Over time, the historical building’s function has evolved, but it has remained steadfast as a pinnacle of elegance and a place of interest, serving the community of Goodland and the surrounding area for over 100 years.

The Carnegie Arts Center is housed in the former Carnegie Public Library in Goodland, which was opened in 1913, and found its place on the list of the National Register of Historic Places in September 1985. A $10,000 grant from the famous Andrew Carnegie established the library as one of the 59 Carnegie libraries in the state of Kansas.

In the late 1970s, the library was outgrowing its space right around the same time that the newly-formed Goodland Arts Council was searching for a building to house their endeavors. Following a bout of remodeling and repurposing, the Arts Council moved in and has been home to an epitome of artistic variety ever since.

Today, the multi-story building houses a multi-use facility. On the top floor, visitors will find a pristine art gallery featuring local and regional artists, as well as a gift shop. In the basement, one will find a classroom and studio space which is used for classes, painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and more. 

The Arts Center has a mission to make the arts accessible to everyone in the community. According to the Arts Center’s website, “This is accomplished through arts education at the public schools, free community events, concerts, exhibitions, arts advocacy, and community beautification projects”.

Tanner Hoffman has been in the Executive Director position at the Arts Center for about four months. Hoffman, originally from Pennsylvania, received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Colorado and then his Masters in Fine Arts with a focus in Sculpture from Fort Hays State University. Hoffman moved to Goodland for the job at the Arts Center right out of grad school and has spent the past four months “learning the job, and loving it.”

With his rich history and background knowledge in the field of art, Hoffman pours his passion for art into the center and the community, and this is evident in how fond he is when he speaks of the Center and its mission. Hoffman works alongside the Board of Directors, as well as one other weekend employee.

About the arts, Hoffman stated their importance, saying, “The arts are important because they are one of the overlooked facets of education. Everyone focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) which is great, a lot of knowledge…but art allows you to create what didn’t exist before.”

Hoffman explained that the schools in Sherman County have only one art teacher, and their art program is focused more on middle school and high school. The Arts Center gives students and community members of all ages a place to explore their artistic side. “It’s a cultural center…it gives people access to art, and gives the community something to do,” he said. “There is very little art in the community so we are trying to promote art. It gives kids an outlet, and gives people a chance to be creative.”

The Arts Center provides multiple opportunities for visitors, whether they are wanting to view artwork or create artwork. Visitors can take advantage of what is available and use art as a form of self-expression and enjoyment, and there is no prior art experience required for visitors. “We encourage everybody to come- our mission statement is to make art available to everyone,” said Hoffman. “It’s very casual, nothing’s terribly hard, and it’s as fun as you want it to be.”

Examples of art opportunities include an open studio every Saturday from 10am-1pm, where visitors can use the art supplies for free. There are also different art exhibits featured at different times of the year. In the summertime, there is a Summer Arts Institute for children. Additionally, there are classes, such as the popular “Paintbrush and Cocktails” class.

Community members can even rent out the center and request to host a class of their own. “If anybody wants a personal class, like to host their own class, they can request it. As long as they have a group of five or more, they can rent the space, and arrange private classes,” explained Hoffman.

Hoffman sees a great deal of value in community members coming into the Arts Center. “Art is important because of the problem solving aspect. It’s a great outlet, it’s cathartic, it allows for expression. Art is purely language, and a visual language at that. It gives people a voice who don’t normally have a voice, and for people who don’t understand how to communicate, it’s a wonderful thing.”

The Center is currently undergoing a large renovation project which will make it an even more accessible space. Hoffman cited facility improvements such as new shelving, more child-friendly, less crowded, new furniture, and more. The facility received grants from the Beach Family Foundation and Match Day Foundation to make the renovations possible. Hoffman has been incredibly hands-on with the project, doing a large portion of it himself, with help from board members, students from the technical college in town, and even community members. He cites the renovations as a “community event”.

The Arts Center is funded based on contributions and generous donations from the community. Events, classes, and the like are free, but donations are suggested. Visitors can become a member via a variety of membership options, and in turn will receive membership perks at the Center. Group tours are welcome, and if your group includes more than 15 individuals, the Center would appreciate you scheduling an appointment so they can be sure to properly accommodate your group.

If making or viewing art isn’t your intent, the space is also incredibly versatile, and can be rented out for a whole host of event types. According to the website, “Our team offers unique event spaces that can accommodate a wide range of events and group sizes. Members of any level can utilize our numerous indoor spaces or sprawling 40,000-square-foot garden for festivals, film shoots, galas, conferences, screenings, dinners, weddings, and a host of other occasions.”

There are some exciting upcoming events at the Arts Center. The Flatlanders Fall Festival will be held in Goodland on September 24th and will feature a beer garden, blacksmithing demonstration, and different contests for kids. In October, Fort Hays State University will be hosting a show and demonstrations at the Center. Additionally, there is a Third Thursday gallery walk held at the Center.

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-4pm. You can follow the Arts Center on Facebook and Instagram and can also access a wealth of knowledge about the center on their website, including a calendar of upcoming events.

Hoffman encourages all to stop in, or visit again. “We have fresh new artwork…the art center is changing. We re-did the sign, the downstairs… It’s a completely new center, and people should come and visit.”