Operating Hours
Open Tuesday through Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed
Sundays and Mondays
Admission is free.
Contact
Main: (304) 558-0220
TDD: (304) 558-3562
The Culture Center
Capitol Complex
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
Museum Events
Importance of Arts to Our Cultural History
When we talk about the value of arts and culture to society, we always start with its intrinsic value: how arts and culture can illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional world. This activity encompasses a broad range of disciplines that ranges from performing arts production and presentation, to visual arts exhibition, to arts education and arts in healthcare, to preservation and interpretation of our collective heritage. This is what we cherish.
However, we also understand that arts and culture have a wider, more measurable impact on our economy, health and wellbeing, society, and education. It is important we also recognize this impact to help people think of our arts and culture for what they are: a strategic national resource.
Essentially, life without the collective resources of our arts communities would be static and sterile—no creative arguments about the past, no diverse and stimulating present and no dreams of the future.
For more information about our current, upcoming or past exhibitions, contact Sidney Duncan, Exhibits Coordinator for the department at (304) 558-0220 or Sidney.L.Duncan@wv.gov.
Current Exhibitions
A Century of History & Beauty: Celebrating 100 Years of the Governor’s Mansion
For 100 years, the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion has welcomed visitors with grace and tradition. Nestled along the banks of the Kanawha River, the stately home has welcomed dignitaries and hosted historic moments since 1925. Experience a look behind the scenes at its grandeur, stories, and see the beauty that shaped a century of leadership and tradition in a special exhibit currently featured in the Theater Gallery of the Culture Center.
Every Name a Story: A Salute to West Virginia Veterans
From the mountains and valleys of West Virginia have come generations of men and women who answered the call to serve. West Virginians have represented every branch of the armed forces, serving on both distant battlefields and in vital roles on the home front. Their stories of courage, sacrifice and determination are honored in this exhibition through artifacts, photographs, uniforms, and memories preserved by the West Virginia State Museum. This exhibit is currently featured in the Balcony Gallery of the Culture Center.
Tracing Grace: The Life and Art of Grace Martin Taylor (1903-1995)
Explore the remarkable legacy of Grace Martin Taylor, a pioneering Morgantown-born artist and educator, whose six-decade career seamlessly bridged realism with abstraction. Her captivating paintings, prints, and collages, infused with her Appalachian heritage and bold use of color and form, have been showcased nationally and are featured in esteemed collections, including at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, West Virginia University, and West Virginia State Museum. A selection of her renowned artwork is currently on exhibit in the Museum Gallery of the Culture Center, offering a unique opportunity to trace her profound impact on the art world.
The Artwork of Susan Poffenbarger
West Virginia artist Susan Gidley Poffenbarger was the recipient of numerous West Virginia Juried Art Exhibition awards over the years. In 1999, her painting, titled Blue Ridge and Cedars was awarded the D. Gene Jordon Memorial Award, the highest possible honor. She was also the recipient of the Governor’s Award and the Award of Excellence—each award prestigious enough for her works to become part of the West Virginia State Museum collection. View beautiful creations made by the award-winning artist on exhibit now by the West Virginia State Museum and the West Virginia Department of Tourism in her memory.
Upcoming Exhibits
2026 Congressional Art Competition
West Virginia high schoolers across the state are invited to participate in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition as we continue our tradition of honoring Youth Art Month at the West Virginia State Museum in 2026. Each March, Youth Art Month is celebrated at the West Virginia Cultuire Center by displaying outstanding, original works of art from our young artists across the state. The winner from each congressional district will have their artwork displayed at the United States Capitol for one year in the Congressional Art Competition, as well as receive a $100 Blick Art Materials gift card. The first place winners will be framed by the Department of Tourism for display at the Capitol. Second place winners will also be awarded a $50 Blick Art Materials gift card.
The exhibit is scheduled to open February 20, 2026 at the Culture Center in the Balcony Gallery.
For more information and to download the submission form, please click here.
2026 Veterans Art Show
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, the West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced the 2026 Veterans Art Show. West Virginia veterans are encouraged to submit works of art honoring both our national and local heritage. All designs will be on display for public viewing in the West Virginia Culture Center Museum Gallery beginning May 9, 2026.
Entrants must be a United States veteran and a current resident of West Virginia. Prizes will be given to the top three designs, and the winning piece will be added to the permanent collection of the West Virginia State Museum. All entries must be submitted by March 27, 2026.
For more information and to download the submission form, please click here.
2026 Governor’s Art Exhibition
Governor Patrick Morrisey and the West Virginia Department of Tourism have announced an open invitation for local students to participate in the annual Governor’s Art Exhibition. Designed to showcase student creativity and the arts, this year’s exhibition is a call for one-of-a-kind designs celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation and the many contributions of West Virginia.
The contest is open to all West Virginia students in grades Kindergarten through 12th, including public, private, and homeschool students. All entries must be hand-delivered or mailed to the Culture Center in Charleston by December 26, 2025. Winning artists will be notified of their achievement by January 9, 2026. All designs will be on display for public viewing in the State Capitol beginning mid-January.
For a complete list of rules and to access the art exhibition entry form, click here.
Past Exhibits
Click here to view current and past West Virginia Department of Tourism exhibits and exhibitions. The West Virginia Department of Tourism youth programs exhibits can be viewed here.