History:

The CAC has its beginnings in an arts festival and the dedication of a small group of Temple women in the 1950s. 

Nora Lee Wendland and Raye Virginia Allen headed the committee charged with hosting the arts festival and after a wildly successful event, the two set about creating a permanent home for the arts in Temple. 

Their committee soon found an old school building in which to house the CAC and within a year thousands of people of all ages became involved in the organization.

Among the tremendous leaders who helped guide the early CAC was Azalee Marshall. For eleven years she served as director, a title that included everything from washing windows to serving tea.

During the next 20 years, the CAC outgrew three facilities and in 1978, the organization moved to its current location. Since that time the CAC has grown, both in the size of its physical structure and in the number and reach of its programs. 

In its history, the CAC has held a special place in many hearts and will always be an important Temple institution.