The Creative Center is proud to report that we are now a collection of 1,000 supporters. In just one year, the city’s “best kept secret” is making its mark. Our 40 studios have all been rented by an eclectic and colorful group of Artisans and Healing Arts Practioners who have joined together to create this unique venue.

900 Sixteenth Street is a Mecca of activity that offers a plethora of options at very reasonable prices. This is a place where one can discover hidden talents, inspire others to find their passion and connect with like minded people. The Creative Center is a place of safety that nurtures and celebrates our unique expressions and encourages our members to flourish on all levels. As the weeks go by in 2012, the creative team continues to raise the bar. Our first Open Mic night proved to be a wonderful addition to our menu. And speaking of menus, we're now expanding to include focus on the Culinary Arts. Our downstairs cafeteria is soon to be transformed into a Sales Gallery and eventually a small café will allow for a lovely place to meet your friends for meetings, respite or socializing. Master Gardeners are now weighing in on the landscaping and volunteers have come forward to plant beautiful flowers and talk about a Community Garden. The Healing Arts professionals are growing in number and there is a good feeling as you walk the halls. No pressure, interesting characters, so many opportunities to become inspired. Whether it’s film, dance, yoga or culinary arts that lights you up; art, music or drama that makes you smile — there's so much happening at the Creative Center.

The Creative class is alive and well in Greensboro!

Our History

The Creative Center was founded in December of 2005 and was called The Sanctuary. Founded in the hope of providing a place of safety for people, we wanted to be a community that allowed people to live authentically, flourish creatively, and thrive spiritually. Located on a six-acre campus, The Sanctuary offered book groups, art classes, and recovery meetings as well as weekly worship services.

After two years we moved to a new space where our organization began to explore other ways to reach our mission. With more classes, art openings, and yoga classes, we grew into a spirituality and creativity center.

In January, 2011, we returned to our original location but with a new name. The Greensboro School of Creativity was now offering studio spaces for artists as well as classes, and the increased space allowed our curriculum to grow as well. Although our name changed, our mission and purpose did not. 2011 was an incredible time of growth for our community.

With the addition of a new Executive Director, Susan Sassman, in Jan 2012, the Greensboro School of Creativity was destined to undergo more changes. The official name was put under a microscope to see if it played well in the community. There seemed to be some confusion around the word “School” and after weeks of deliberation between the members, staff and board, a new name was voted on: The Creative Center. It’s simple, easy to say and pretty self-explanatory. It also implies the creative center in each of us as well as the physical building on Sixteenth Street. The transition is including a revamping of the website, hiring of more staff, stepping into the world of advertising and a coming together of the folks already settled within the walls. The first two months were a bit unsettling as we formed, stormed and normed, but we have accomplished quite a bit in 8 weeks and are looking forward to a reopening in the Spring.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of The Creative Center is to offer a nurturing environment where people of all ages can live authentically, flourish creatively, and thrive spiritually in a supportive community through classes, workshops, and special events.

2011 Retrospective

The Greensboro School of Creativity December 2011 Newsletter encapsulates what seemed, for many members, a magical year for our community. In addition to an introduction by founder, Chip Bristol, featured member reflections highlight our core areas of focus: Spirituality, Wellness, Creativity & Recovery. We invite you to enjoy this retrospective with us. Either click here to read the narrative content in our Currents blog. Or you may download a printable pdf version here instead.