The Cultural Center’s purpose is to provide a community gathering place to educate about the relationship between culture and the natural world. This mission comes to life through festivals, plays, concerts, classes and exhibits.
The anchor for the popular programming is the 18,500-square-foot building within the native landscape of the Greenbelt Forest Preserve. Originally opened in June 2000, the Cultural Center underwent a major expansion in 2011.
The improved facility has two classrooms, a divisible multi-purpose program room, two community art galleries, an outdoor amphitheater and an outdoor pond for environmental education programs. Large windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding natural setting.
Upcoming events
- Profiles in Excellence - Black Churches: Guiding Lights
3-5 pm, February 5, 2012 A tribute to the strength and leadership African-American churches bring to the community. Free. All ages.
Art Exhibits
- Picture is worth a Thousand Yards: Sports Photography of Walter Payton
Now through March 2, 2012 Professional photographers share their photos and memories of legendary Walter Payton in this free exhibit-open during public hours.
- Nature Around the World
March 13-September 7, 2012 Exquisite works by Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society members who have explored nature in Lake County, the United States, and the planet. Share the journeys of these highly-skilled photographers through stunning color and black and white photographs.
Meet the artists: 6-8 pm, Thursday, March 22, 2012. Free artist reception with photographs available for purchase.
- Postcard Art Exhibition (PACE 2011)
April-May 2012 Biennial juried international exhibit celebrates the art of the postcard with an eclectic assortment of 4-by-6 inch original artworks.
Office/public hours
Tuesday - Friday: 11 am - 5 pm. Saturday/ Sunday: Open if special events and festivals are being held, or by appointment. Closed on Monday.
Available to Rent
This building can be rented for meetings, conferences, classes, retreats, weddings, showers, Quinceañeras, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, receptions, family reunions and other social gathering.
Rental hours: Rent the building for private events between the hours of 7 AM -1:30 AM the following morning.
Rooms have large windows with picturesque views of the surrounding Forest Preserve. A selection of room sizes can be rented:
| Rooms |
Capacity |
| Grand Woodland Banquet Hall |
330* |
 |
 |
| Hawthorn, Walnut or Maple banquet rooms |
100* |
 |
 |
| Two banquet rooms combined |
200* |
 |
 |
| Meeting Room |
30 |
 |
 |
| Meeting Room (tile floor) |
30 |
 |
 |
| Meeting Room |
8 |
 |
 |
| * Based on banquet style seating |
 |
Additional spaces
- Catering kitchen
- Food prep room adjacent to banquet hall
- Two art galleries
- Pre-function gallery
- Two patios
- Outdoor amphitheater
- Break-out room that seats 8
- Outdoor pond
- Brides room/Speaker prep room
Amenities
- Full kitchen
- State-of-the-art audio/visual equipment
- Outdoor amphitheater
- Stage
- Dance floor
- Artist gallery
- Parking
Rental Rates
Rental rates for social use by Lake County residents (PDF) Rental rates for social use by non Lake County residents (PDF) Rental rates for non-profit organization in Lake County (PDF) Rental rates for non-profit organization out of Lake County (PDF) Business meeting rental rates (PDF)
For more information or to arrange an appointment: Call 847-968-3477 |
The long-held dream of a community cultural center was first given life by a voter-approved referendum. An advisory committee of residents, government officials and local leaders oversaw the development of the Cultural Center to meet such goals as bringing people and nature together, providing a venue where everyone can enjoy and learn about the arts and the environment, and offering a place where the community and businesses can host meetings and special celebrations.
The Greenbelt Cultural Center opened in 2000 through support of the community and assistance from corporate partners Abbott Laboratories and Grainger. |
The Cultural Center is located within Greenbelt Forest Preserve, which provides year-round outdoor recreation. The prairies, rolling hills, oak forest, marshes and lake make the preserve perfect for evening strolls, afternoon barbecues, cross-country skiing and other activities. The trails around the Cultural Center lead to an interpretive nature pond and link to additional forest preserve trails.
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