Founded in 1970 by Ethel Goddard in loving memory of her husband, Charles B. Goddard, the Charles B. Goddard Center for Visual and Performing Arts has been a cornerstone of cultural life in Ardmore, Oklahoma, for more than five decades.

The Goddard Center enriches the lives of South-Central Oklahoma residents through visual and performing arts, arts education, and community engagement. Its facilities include a professional-grade performance theater, rotating gallery space for touring exhibitions, a permanent collection featuring prominent artists such as Leonora Carrington and Charles Burchfield, an outdoor sculpture garden, and fully equipped art education studios.

Through hands-on, project-based instruction, the Goddard Center’s Art Studios serve youth, adults, and seniors, making artistic expression accessible at every stage of life. The Center also works closely with the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ardmore, the Ardmore Tourism Board, the Ardmore Development Authority, and the Main Street Authority to provide meaningful cultural programming that reflects and serves the local community.

Equity and access are central to the Goddard Center’s mission. The Board and staff actively develop programs and strategies designed to engage historically underserved populations and make the arts a shared experience for all.

Programs supported by the Center’s operating budget include touring exhibitions, live performances, educational lectures and demonstrations, art instruction, and community outreach initiatives.

The Goddard Center is also proud to be the home of Ardmore Little Theatre. While the Center welcomes professional and touring acts to its stage, Ardmore Little Theatre showcases the talent of local performers and community members who bring beloved plays and musicals to life.