Arts Center Project

The building at 201 East Moore Street was once the jewel of the county. A sturdy and resolute structure built in the mid-1800s, it presided over the entirety of Brunswick County when Southport was the county seat until 1977. After housing the city’s administrative offices for another 40 years, it became uninhabitable and has stood vacant since 2016. Today, we see a decrepit building in the heart of downtown
Southport where once a vital, community center stood.

Discussions were held by the Southport Board of Aldermen a few years ago to tear it down, sell it, or repurpose the space into something useful, like a parking lot. But working together since then, Up Your Arts and city officials have taken the necessary steps to conceive of it otherwise with the expectation it could be revitalized to life and could, in turn, invigorate downtown Southport.

We imagined an arts center in the historic heart of the city: an informal (or sometimes formal) gathering spot for everyone who lives here and a must-see destination for out-of-town family and visitors. We had a vision for a self-sustaining, state-of-the-art creative and performing arts center that reflects the kind of community we are: creative, responsible, and caring.

And thus, the campaign to “Save the Hall, Y’all” began.

Our grassroots efforts have brought many Southport residents together to help Up Your Arts refine and enact the vision. Thanks to them, we are well on our way to turning this dream into reality.

We hope you will join us in discovering the best future use of this iconic building, which has been at the center of Southport municipal life for generations. Start by taking a look at what we’ve imagined so far, then help us save the hall, ya’ll.