Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is one of the most important cultural institutions in the Southeast — and one of Charlotte's most undervisited by families who haven't made it a priority yet. Named for Harvey B.

Gantt, Charlotte's first African-American mayor and a civil rights figure who integrated Clemson University in 1963, the center presents African-American art, culture, and history through rotating exhibitions, permanent collections, and public programs.

The building itself is a statement — designed by Philip Freelon (the lead designer of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC), the Gantt Center's copper-clad exterior and light-filled interiors reflect both contemporary architecture and African design traditions.

For families, the Gantt Center is an important complement to Charlotte's other cultural institutions. The exhibitions cover everything from traditional African art and the Harlem Renaissance to contemporary Black artists working right now. The rotating program means there's always something new, and the permanent collection includes significant works that reward repeat visits.

The center runs robust family and education programming — weekend drop-in activities, school partnerships, and summer camps. The staff genuinely engage with younger visitors and the exhibitions are designed to be accessible without being simplified.

At roughly $10 for adults and $5 for kids, the Gantt Center is one of Charlotte's best cultural values. It pairs naturally with the Mint Museum and Bechtler — all three are within 200 meters of each other in the Levine Center for the Arts complex.