The purpose of the Anderson County Arts Center is to foster the practice and appreciation of the arts among the people living in South Carolina. Since its inception in 1972, the Anderson Arts Center has provided vital arts education throughout the entire county and area, stimulated economic growth, and grown to be a major partner in tourism and public arts projects. The early leadership of individuals such as Callie Stringer Rainey and family, and Elizabeth Belser Fuller steered the organization to be the catalyst for change, education, and culture that it is today. The Anderson Arts Center was enthusiastically voted into existence on the campus of Anderson College on September 26, 1972, by a crowd of fellow arts organizations, city and county officials, civic clubs others known to be interested in improving the cultural environment of Anderson County. They also named the first advisory board consisting of Mrs. Gayle Edwards, Mrs. Elizabeth Wakefield, Mrs. Mary Linne Otter, Mrs. Sara Liverance, Mrs. Callie Rainey, Bill Bridges, Herman Keith, and Dr. Cordell Maddox.