Alabama Center for the Arts Holds Naming Ceremony For Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center

Yesterday, the Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) held a naming ceremony to commemorate the newly designated Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center, honoring longtime state legislator Senator Arthur Orr for his enduring support of education and the arts in Alabama.

The discussion to name the building in Senator Orr's honor began several months ago when leaders from Calhoun Community College and Athens State University, the two institutions that share the ACA campus, initiated the idea to recognize his impact on the region and his advocacy for arts education. Both institutions secured approval through their respective boards, and Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, expressed early support for the naming as a fitting tribute.



"The Alabama Center for the Arts was built on partnership, and this naming reflects that spirit," said Dr. Jimmy Hodges, President of Calhoun Community College. "Senator Orr has been a tireless advocate for both institutions, and his support has made a real, tangible difference. Because of his efforts, we have seen enrollment grow, added residential housing for our students, and expanded our facilities to include new learning spaces for both STEM and the arts. This naming is a small way of saying thank you for everything he has done and continues to do for this community."

Senator Orr has been instrumental in the formation, development, and expansion of the Alabama Center for the Arts, playing a key role in establishing it as part of broader economic and educational development efforts in North Alabama and consistently securing state funding for ACA projects.

"I feel blessed to be a part of the Alabama legislature that is able to work directly with higher education institutions as well as the Morgan County community. I hope the students who attend classes at the Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center will use the talents and skills they gain from here to do great things in the world. I am grateful to all of the people at the ACA who make things happen at the center, and I am grateful for how they come together to help enrich the lives of the students, as their roles are vital too. Even though they may not have a building in their name, the work they do is pivotal, and I am extremely grateful for all the hands that work together to make the curriculum and environment a welcoming place where students can become successful," said Arthur Orr, Alabama State Senator.

"This is more than a naming ceremony for a building; it's about the importance of the arts and how we see our future in the state of Alabama. This center teaches students how to tap into their creativity, how to collaborate, not only among the students, but also among Calhoun and Athens State faculty. It also teaches about connection. That is the power of the arts, as it helps our students discover and refine their talents, and it also connects our community, as it is a place in which they are invited to attend and experience the power of the arts through the artistic and creative abilities of our students," said Dr. Catherine M. Wehlburg.

The Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility that serves as both an educational space and a public performance venue at the ACA in downtown Decatur. The center's amenities include a recording technology computer lab, recital hall and studio theatre for performances, piano lab with Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos, scene shop for building sets, and more. The 44,000-square-foot facility, designed by LIVE Design Group of Birmingham, serves as a cornerstone of arts education in North Alabama and stands as a lasting example of what Calhoun Community College and Athens State University can accomplish when they invest together in their community.

To learn more about the Alabama Center for the Arts, visit alabamacenterforthearts.org.

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The Alabama Center for the Arts is the region’s premier art center and degree program. The project continues a long-standing collaborative academic effort between Calhoun Community College and Athens State University and serves as a model of academic institutional cooperation for the state. The Alabama Center for the Arts is a venue for cultural events and activities and will enhance an appreciation of art while promoting opportunities for creative expression for residents throughout the region.