The Pullen Arts Center first opened in January, 1961 and has provided arts education for artists of all skill levels for over five decades.  The success and increasing demand for arts programming provided by the City of Raleigh led to the approval of the Parks Bond Referendum and the allocation of funding for a complete renovation and as well as an addition to this facility.

Located inside Pullen Park, conservation of the park environment was an important priority to the community, thus the same number of trees that were removed for this improvement were replanted at strategic locations throughout the park to farther enhance the park setting.  Other outdoor amenities include exterior pottery courtyard and paved plaza gathering spaces.

The 3-story addition improved visibility of the arts center within the park and provided greater accessibility from the parking area.  

The arts center program includes pottery, painting, jewelry, glass, and book/print making.  In addition to arts studios, there are multi-purpose spaces and exhibit/gallery spaces to show case work by students and artists throughout the building.