Located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, the Woodruff Arts Center represents the city’s rich history and community through theater, music, and fine arts. Home of the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the High Museum of Art, the Center provides access to art and educational resources to inspire creativity in Atlanta. The Center annually welcomes over 800,000 guests of all backgrounds, cultures, and ages. Of those visitors, 170,000 of them are students and teachers, making Woodruff Arts Center the largest arts educator in Georgia. ParkMobile is proud to be a partner of the Woodruff Arts Center.

History of Woodruff Arts Center

Established in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center, formerly called the Memorial Arts Center, has been an Atlanta staple for over 50 years. The Center was originally founded to honor the 130 Atlanta artists and patrons who died in the 1962 plane crash at Orly Airfield in Paris, France. The arts leaders were on their way back to Atlanta following a European arts tour.

The tragedy inspired the creation of the Center and pays tribute to the passengers’ goal of making Atlanta a destination for arts and culture. The Memorial Arts Building honors the passengers. Additionally, at the entrance to the Woodruff Arts Center campus stands a statue donated by France to honor the lives of those lost. The statue is by French sculptor, Auguste Rodin, and is titled “The Shade.”

Alliance Theatre

As Atlanta’s national theater, the Alliance Theatre is the leading producing theater in the Southeast. Welcoming over 165,000 visitors each year, Alliance Theatre caters to all ages through the stage, classroom, and the Atlanta community. The theater has premiered over 100 productions, including many of which have been best sellers on Broadway and Tony Award winners, such as The Color Purple, Aida, and The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Alliance Theatre also offers acting classes and educational programming for adults, families, kids, and teens.

As we gear up for the holiday season, Alliance Theatre is showing A Christmas Carol on the venue’s Coca-Cola Stage from now through December 24, 2022. To view all the upcoming shows at The Alliance Theatre, see here.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Experience the Atlanta Arts Scene at the Woodruff Arts Center

Since the 1940s, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has brought original orchestra music to the Atlanta music scene. Modern orchestra music is said to have originated in the early 17th century, and the ASO continues to use centuries-old music and techniques to inspire Atlantans. The ASO focuses on collaboration, communication, innovation, respect, and delivering the highest quality of orchestra music.

The ASO consists of some of the country’s most talented conductors and musicians. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus also performs with the ASO and is made up of local volunteers.

High Museum of Art

The final installment of the Woodruff Arts Center is the High Museum of Art, which showcases art collections and special exhibitions while hosting regular community programs and events. The museum features more than 18,000 works of art, including many works from the 19th and 20th centuries. The High prioritizes displaying art that represents the diversity of the Atlanta community and encourages visitors to dive into the past, present, and future world of art through inspiration and education.

The current location of the High Museum has been home to the museum since 1955. When the Woodruff Arts Center opened in 1968, the High Museum was already in place. Today, the Museum is 312,000 square feet, making it a leading art museum in the region.

Collections include African art, American art, decorative arts and design, European art, folk and self-taught art, modern and contemporary art, and photography.

On the second Sunday of every month, the High offers free admission from 12PM until 5PM with UPS Second Sundays.

Parking at Woodruff Arts Center

The Woodruff Arts Center parking garage is located on Arts Center Way (1280 Peachtree St.).

During peak times, such as evenings or weekends, additional parking is available at the Promenade Parking Garage (1230 Peachtree St.) and the Boys & Girls Club Parking Garage (1275 Peachtree St.).

Guests planning a visit to the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art can make a parking reservation in advance via the ParkMobile app.

Reserving a parking space at Woodruff Arts Center is quick and easy. A user can go to the venue’s website to view a full list of upcoming events with all the available parking options. The user can then reserve a space, which can be redeemed at the parking lot on the day of the event using a mobile pass or a printed permit. Reservations can also be made through the ParkMobile app on both iPhone and Android devices. Pricing for parking will vary based on the event.

Parking at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra offers the same parking as the other Woodruff Arts Center venues. The Woodruff Arts Center Garage has an $18 parking fee, though it is only $8 for visits that are 30 minutes to an hour. The price goes up to $20 after 5 p.m. and on the weekend and $30 for Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE events.

Parking at the Promenade Parking Garage is $17, and the Boys & Girls Club Parking Garage is $18.

Guests visiting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra can pre-pay for parking in the Woodruff Arts Center Parking Garage by calling 404-733-4800. Those who have purchased parking ahead of an event are guaranteed parking, though spaces are limited.

Reserving parking in advance with ParkMobile also guarantees a parking spot for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at a parking facility nearby.

Parking at High Museum of Art

Guests visiting the High Museum can park in the Woodruff Arts Center public garage for an $18 daily flat rate. The first 30 minutes are free. High Museum of Art members can park free during the daytime.