Johnson Center for the Arts

The Johnson Center for the Arts (JCA), sometimes known as the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center, is an arts gallery and cultural and events center located near Downtown Square in Troy, Pike County. The center aims to provide exposure to the arts for the citizens of Pike County and the surrounding area. Rotating art exhibits come from around the world, and the permanent collection includes the work of local artist such as Jean Lake.

The JCA is housed in a former post office completed in 1912 in the Classical Revival style. It was used as a post office and a governmental building until 1980 and then sat empty until 2000, when its potential demolition spurred Troy citizens into action. The Pike County Chamber of Commerce worked with a group of local citizens to incorporate and purchase the building with proceeds from a large fundraiser. The group then formed the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center Board of Directors on April 15, 2000, to oversee the proposed center. In 2005, Troy natives Manley, a noted economist, and Mary Johnson donated $500,000 for the restoration of the building, and the center was named The Holman and Ethel Johnson Center for Johnson's parents. The JCA boasts seven galleries and features a 1,400-square-foot, two-story main gallery and a lower-level gallery.

The center was first housed in a warehouse across the street that the organization purchased from the city and renovated. When the center officially opened in 2008, it moved to the renovated post office and the warehouse was turned into the Cultural Arts Studio. In June 2019, the city re-purchased the warehouse, which serves as a studio with extra storage, electrical outlets for theater lighting and sound, and acts as an arts facility as well as a venue for visual arts exhibitions and musical and educational events. Both venues are available to rent for private and public events.

Admission is free but donations, memberships, and sponsorships are welcomed and encouraged to support the 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Group tours can be arranged for groups over ten but need to be reserved at least a week in advance. School tours are also free and must be reserved two weeks in advance. Tours can be arranged by calling 334-670-2287. Self-guided tours do not be arranged in advance.

The center hosts numerous seasonal and holiday events and exhibitions throughout the year. It is located at 300 East Walnut Street and is open Wednesday to Friday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Nearby are the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Troy's Court Square, City Hall, and Troy University, as well as the College Street Historic District that was documented by and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It features a mix of buildings constructed in Greek Revival, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Late Victorian architectural styles.