Hub-Bub.com - What is Hub-Bub

The dictionary defines hubbub as a loud noise of many voices. In Spartanburg, S.C., young artists, musicians and activists of all kinds came together in 2004 to start a one-of-a-kind creative movement called HUB-BUB. And Spartanburg—known as the “Hub City” because of its history as a crossroad for passenger trains—has never been the same.

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The first step was the development of a website called HUB-BUB.COM. Launched on the unsuspecting city in a guerrilla marketing campaign, HUB-BUB.COM was soon seen stenciled on sidewalks, walls, and streetlights around the city. When the sun went down, a spotlight projected the name onto the sides of buildings around town. The buzz led thousands to the website.

HUB-BUB.COM initially focused on the exchange of ideas. The online forums lit up as people in Spartanburg realized they had a free voice to talk about everything from local eats, public art and architecture to films, music and politics. At the same time, organizers began inviting users of the website to gather at new events like The Soapbox Series on the Nu-Way patio, a Hub-atomic Bandstand concert in an empty parking lot, and the HUB-BUB Halloween Prom.

Soon HUB-BUB started making plans for a physical venue beyond its virtual presence. With some financial help from the city of Spartanburg, The Showroom Gallery & Performance Hall opened in 2006. The flexible arts space serves as a place for music, art, film, community events, workshops and other happenings. In its first year of operation, HUB-BUB hosted more than 150 events of all kinds, and an estimated 10,000 people came through to see what the hubbub was all about. In 2007 the city used the space for the downtown master planning sessions to shape the future of Spartanburg’s downtown.

The move into the new space also brought the creation of the HUB-BUB Artists-In-Residence program which serves emerging artists and writers aged 20 to 30. One of the most innovative programs in the country, the HUB-BUB A.I.R. program brings three visual artists and one creative writer to Spartanburg to live in roomy apartments on the third floor of the HUB-BUB building. They live with us for 11 months, join the staff at HUB-BUB and perform a variety of community service projects. The A.I.R. program, now a member of the Alliance of Artist Communities, is funded by private donors, including the Nimoy Foundation of Los Angeles.

HUB-BUB has formed strong alliances with other organizations intent on improving the quality of life in Spartanburg. Together with its sister organization the Hub City Writers Project, HUB-BUB is now part of a 501-c-3 organization called HubCulture Inc., whose mission is to build community through dynamic arts and ideas. With support and contributions from the community, HUB-BUB is thriving and making a name for itself in the region and across the country.