The Leesburg Center for the Arts began in the year 2000 as a redevelopment tool under the Leesburg Partnership to address the community’s need for a centralized creative component.

Katherine Cook, a local artist and teacher, sought the help of Joe Shipes and the Leesburg Partnership. The Partnership agreed to expand its vision and to utilize the arts as a community revitalization tool. The Leesburg Center for the Arts came to live under a non-profit charter and a 501(c)3 charitable designation.

The organization quickly established its mission: to promote growth and vitality to the community, to provide educational opportunities in the arts for all ages, to provide cultural events for the community and to provide a central location which attracts talented artists, artisans, musicians and appreciative audiences.

The Center also hosts the Leesburg Fine Art Festival every year in March. As part of its mission, it supports the Leesburg area schools by providing a venue to exhibit student work, scholarships for school supplies, and after school arts programs in the elementary schools.

The Leesburg Center for the Arts is a 501c3 Not for Profit Organization which is funded in part by the City of Leesburg, local grants and individual memberships.