Town guide · Piedmont
Matthews
A southeastern Mecklenburg County town and Charlotte suburb, once nicknamed Stumptown, known for its Matthews Alive Labor Day parade.
35.12° N · -80.71° W · Mecklenburg County
–Ray Arts IndexGrade · see the report card ↓The town
About Matthews
Matthews started in the early 1800s as a settlement nicknamed Stumptown for the tree stumps left after land was cleared for cotton fields. It was later called Fullwood after postmaster John Miles Fullwood, and it was a stop for stagecoaches running from Charlotte to Monroe before the first train arrived in 1874. The town was incorporated in 1879 and renamed for Edward Matthews, a director of the Central Carolina Railroad. Today it is a suburb of Charlotte. Officials say the Matthews Alive Parade is the largest Labor Day parade in the Southeast. The town library sits on the first floor of Town Hall, and the soccer club Stumptown Athletic plays at the Sportsplex at Matthews. Source: Wikipedia
Events in Matthews
On in town this week
Every art form on one list, each in its own color. Sample events — illustrative dates
All Matthews eventsNothing posted for the next few weeks yet.
Places by art form
Where to go in Matthews
Venues, companies, guilds and more, by art form.
Search everything in MatthewsMusic
All →- Classical Music Association CharlottePerforming Group
- Reflection Big BandPerforming Group
- Bechtler Ensemble IncPerforming Group
- United Voice Of North CarolinaPerforming Group
- Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble IncPerforming Group
- Matthews Concert Band IncPerforming Group
- Queen City Juvenile Pipes & Drums IncPerforming Group
- Mad Jackís Record & ComicsRecord store
- Noble RecordsRecord store
Theater & Performance
All →Dance
All →Visual Arts
All →Craft & Traditional Arts
All →Literary Arts
All →Film & Media
All →Museums & Heritage
All →Make it a weekend
More towns in Piedmont
Ray Arts Foundation · North Carolina
Report Card
Ray Arts Index · 2026
- Town
- Matthews
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Standing
- Not yet graded
| Subject | Weight | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Local government supportExtra weightArts budget, arts office, grants, parks & rec arts | 18% | – |
| Arts educationExtra weightSchool district arts programs, arts schools and camps | 12% | – |
| Arts placesVenues, museums and galleries | 18% | – |
| ActivityArts events each month | 13.5% | – |
| FestivalsActive arts festivals | 13.5% | – |
| Arts organizationsArts nonprofits and their budgets | 13.5% | – |
| Creative economyArts businesses and working artists | 7% | – |
| HeritageLong-running arts institutions and history groups | 4.5% | – |
Overall
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HonorsNone yet
Marking scaleA 80+ · B 65+ · C 50+ (national typical) · D 35+ · F below 35 · Inc. not yet measured
Teacher’s remarks
The Ray Arts Index gives extra weight to local government support and arts education, because public investment in the arts, and in teaching it, is how creative communities grow.
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