With the consolidated effort of several educators, community members and artists, The Salina Art Center was founded in 1978. It was to be a museum, gallery and educational center that will help the community of north central Kansas appreciate arts. It was first located and housed at the Campus of Kansas Wesleyan University. However, when the Art Center decided to expand, in 1988 until 1989, the managers as well as the board of trustees decided it was time to move to a large location. They purchased an area in downtown Salina as the Center?s new place. Further developments followed in the years to come when the Art Center Cinema was created one block away in 1997. In 2004 a downtown warehouse was also renovated to become a living and working space for artists in residency.

The Salina Art Center supports various exhibitions, programs and films. It is funded mostly by generous donations and memberships from many concerned agencies and individuals. The center further offers facilities that can be rented for parties and other functions.