A Cultural Center can be distinguished from other recognized cultural and artistic institutions by a few significant characteristics and features - They tend to be small organizations, often with focused exhibitions and collections.

cultural centres do not necessarily hold permanent exhibitions, as their repertoire can be adaptive, regularly incorporating a wide range of different artistic and creative forms rather than a single one. Many cultural centers will concurrently run exhibitions, photo projections, literary events, workshops, lectures, debates, musical and theatrical performances, and children's activities.