ART IS FOR EVERYONE
Arts Alliance Center
The Arts Alliance Center (AAC) is a project of the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington (AAGB). At the Arts Alliance Center (AAC) located in College Mall , we have a Gallery and a Flex Space where you can buy beautiful local art, rent our performance space, participate in an art activity, and even play our public piano.
EXPERIENCE THE ARTS ALLIANCE CENTER
Visit the AAC and …
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See beautiful art
Come to the Gallery for exhibitions and pick out your favorite piece. Make your own mark and leave on our wall. You’re an artist? Consider becoming an artist on display!
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Learn something fun
Passionate about painting, craft, or dance? You can learn from talented local artists. Check our latest events for more!
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Enjoy an event
Whether poetry or music recitals, the Flex Space is a great place to enjoy your favorite event. You can also book the Flex Space for your own gig.
A student from IU plays the Arts Alliance Center piano
A place for everyone
Still debating on whether or not to visit? The Arts Alliance Center is a place of art for everyone.
We can hear you thinking…
(Click through each section to see what we think. Spoiler, you should come anyway!)
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No worries! While we do have beautiful oil paintings, we also have cards, prints, jewelry, candles, children’s books, and so much more! If you have $5, you can walk out of the AAC with a unique piece of art that is all your own. And if you have $0, you can walk out with plenty of inspiration and happy memories.
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No worries there either! You don’t need to “be fancy” (whatever that means) or have a diploma under your arm upon entrance. We love being located in College Mall because we strongly believe that art is for everyone, mall-walkers definitely included. So grab a soft pretzel, a new phone case, and wander right in with the rest of us!
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Come here, let’s hug it out. That’s right, bring it in. Better? Better. You don’t have to be an artist or deeply involved in the art world to enjoy the Arts Alliance Center. We’re a welcoming bunch and happy to answer any questions you might have. Who knows, this could be the start of your art career (please remember to send us an invite to your show’s opening reception at the Louvre.)
A LITTLE HISTORY
Making the Arts Alliance Center
The initial concept of a gallery/store program for local artists was conceived and executed under the Board in 2019. That concept which we called ArtBeat was originally founded at the Simon College Mall beside Macy’s and comprised of over two-dozen local artists. Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, ArtBeat closed just a handful of months after opening.
In early 2021, the board decided the structure of our program needed to be rehabilitated. So, the space was relocated, restructured, and renovated under the leadership of President Adam Nahas, and was renamed "The Arts Alliance Center" (AAC) in the spring. Due to the collective help of the community, the AAC opened up to the public on August 7th, 2021.
Since then, we have welcomed residents and visitors of Bloomington to appreciate art of many forms and participate in events, taking home items and good memories. The AAC displays the mission of the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington to “strengthen and sustain the arts by connecting artists, cultural organization, and artistic endeavors with patrons and the community.”
Visit us
The Arts Alliance Center (AAC) is located at 2894 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47401. Find us in College Mall beside Foot Locker.
HOURS
Wed. - Thurs.: 10 am - 8 pm
Fri. - Sat.: 10 am - 9 pm
Sun.: 12 pm - 6 pm
We look forward to seeing you in the AAC soon!
Special thanks…
Without the help of community professionals, this would not have been possible. A very special thanks to Simon Mall, Artisan Alley, Brothers Carpeting, and Cyclops Studios LLC for the space and renovation contributions, as well as the countless volunteers who have spent hours, providing needed resources and vital support, including; The Ryder Magazine, Morgenstern's Bookstore & Café, Abi Zagel, Danielle Bruce, Michael Squires, Denise Lessow, Terri Klingelhoffer, David Reuter, Joanne Shank, Kendall Reeves, Henry Leck, Mary Hoedeman Canaris, Dorothy Ann Strange, Tom Duffy, and Heather Hales as well as many others.
