The Center for the Performing Arts is a $180 million campus located in City Center and is composed of three venues: the Palladium, an elegant 1,600-seat concert hall; the Tarkington, a 500-seat proscenium theater; and the Studio Theater, a flexible black-box space located in the James Building. The Center hosts hundreds of events each year, is home to the Great American Songbook Foundation, and provides a range of classes and educational programming for people of all ages.

As part of The Center, the Carmel Redevelopment Commission and the City of Carmel funded the construction of an outdoor amphitheater and the Carter Green gathering space, which is home to the farmers market, Christkindlmarkt, and many other City festivals.