Louise Hopkins Underwood Center For The Arts

LHUCA’s mission is to cultivate and celebrate all the arts by inspiring creativity and engaging with the community. 

LHUCA is committed to growing the cultural fabric of our community, fostering creative industries and supporting a creative workforce that is strong and thriving LHUCA began as a dream of our founder Louise Hopkins Underwood, who’s spirit and love for the arts moved like the West Texas winds across a culturally barren landscape, building a regional fine arts center that engages people of all ages and of all walks of life. Her life-long dedication to the arts was recognized throughout the years, but none greater than her induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2008, alongside Sandra Day O’Connor. Founded in 1997, this center was established by Mrs. Underwood and a core group of forward-thinking individuals. They possessed a clear understanding of the relationships between accessible cultural experiences and opportunities and the quality of life in a region. To meet the challenge of providing this permanent home for the arts, LHUCA called upon Hardy, Holzman and Pfeiffer Associates of New York. Their experience in designing similar arts facilities such as the San Angelo Museum of Art, the Amarillo Globe News Center for the Performing Arts, and the Plano Courtyard Theatre. In 2000 the City of Lubbock deeded over the vacated Fire Department Administration Building in alignment with the City?s goal to create an arts and entertainment district. This gift allowed LHUCA to open its doors with a goal to encourage the arts in West Texas in every way possible. In the past decade LHUCA has transformed the community?s appreciation for art and culture as demonstrated by audience growth and individual support.