The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts began as the Lubbock Regional Arts Center (LRAC) in 1997 “to inspire and enrich the Lubbock community by being a catalyst for the arts.” It was clear to founder, Mrs. Louise H. Underwood and a group of community leaders knew Lubbock needed a central place where all disciplines of the arts could come together. The City of Lubbock deeded the vacant Fire Department administration building to LHUCA in 2000, towards its goal to encourage an arts and entertainment district. A capital campaign launched a facility renovation from 2003-05 that enlarged the campus. In 2004 LRAC changed to the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA), creating this visual, performing and literary arts center in the heart of the future Lubbock Cultural District.

LHUCA is a major contributor to the arts community and a driving force behind the downtown revitalization plan using the arts to stimulate economic development. LHUCA has grown from its initial firehouse building to a large “campus” of six buildings, four galleries, a theater, clay studio, rehearsal hall, event spaces and classroom spaces.