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Le Mars Arts Center

200 Central Avenue South East
712-546-7476

The Le Mars Arts Council has been headquartered since 1976 in a former Carnegie Library built in 1903. The building was listed in 1979 on the National Register of Historic places. It is an adaptation of the Renaissance Revival style which is a typical example of small town library architecture from the early 20th century.

The library vacated the building in 1976 because it became too small for an expanding world of books, magazines, records, tape cassettes, computers and art prints. Contents were moved one block north to a renovated Red Owl Grocery store building at 46 First Street SW.

The Carnegie building was refurbished in 1976 as a Civic Center with offices for the Le Mars Arts Council and Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce moved out in September 1991 to a former Ben Franklin Store building one block north at 50 Central Avenue SE. That building is also occupied by Le Mars City Hall, First National Bank Drive-Up, ABC Travel and Asylum Teen Center.

Today the Le Mars Arts Center main floor has two art galleries, a children's activity area and gallery, space for performances/receptions, handicapped accessible bathroom, and kitchen. The lower level has an art room,  meeting/event room,  small pottery area, kitchen and restroom.  


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