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Modern Town · Learning and culture

Cultural center

Topic: heritage and arts center

A place where a community shares its traditions, art, food, language and history with neighbors and visitors.

Purpose
Sharing culture and heritage
Activities
Exhibitions, classes, festivals, performances
Museums today
Defined as open to all and inclusive (ICOM, 2022)
Brings together
Long-time residents and newcomers

Find it on the map

Real world Why towns have cultural centers

Modern towns are home to people from many backgrounds. A cultural center gives a community a place to keep its traditions alive: teaching a language to children, celebrating festivals, displaying art and telling its history. It also invites neighbors to learn and take part.

In 2022 the International Council of Museums agreed a new definition of a museum, describing it as open to the public, accessible and inclusive, and working with communities.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Real world What happens inside

  • Exhibitions of art, crafts and history.
  • Classes in music, dance, cooking and languages.
  • Performances, film screenings and talks.
  • Festivals and celebrations open to everyone.
  • Archives that keep photos, letters and stories safe.
The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Photo: DiscoA340, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Real world Respect and design

A cultural center is designed with the community it serves, often using traditional forms, materials or gardens. Displays should be planned with the people whose culture is shown, so that they tell their own story.

Art In this artwork

This illustration shows a pavilion with layered roofs in a garden. We use it to represent a cultural center; the building style is the artist's choice.

Look closer

  • Notice the layered roofs and the garden around the building.
  • Where could a festival or performance take place?

Think about it

  1. What traditions in your family or community would you share at a cultural center?
  2. Why does it matter who tells a community's story?
  3. How can neighbors from different backgrounds get to know each other?

Key words

Heritage
Traditions and history passed down through generations.
Inclusive
Welcoming to everyone.
Archive
A collection of historical records.

Sources

The facts on this page are based on these sources:

  • International Council of Museums, museum definition (2022)
  • UN-Habitat, "World Cities Report"

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