The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and offers exhibitions of local to national scope, historically and culturally important art in five galleries year-round. Gadsden Arts is a collecting organization, focusing on contemporary art from the Southeastern United States, with a significant collection of Southern Vernacular Art. Gadsden Arts is an educational organization, offering programs for children through seniors, beginners through experienced participants in art appreciation and interpretation and studio art. Finally, Gadsden Arts is dedicated to promoting tourism and economic development in our region, with its fully restored c.1912 Bell & Bates Building an example of the successful adaptive reuse of a historic building.