2024 Wrap Up

Amber Jo Manuel,
Executive Director of The Center for the Arts

Letter from Amber Jo

Have you walked out of The Center for the Arts lately with a deep smile from listening to your favorite musical legend? Have you felt joy having watched your child or grandchild’s first theater production on The Center’s stage? Did you discover a new artist through an incredibly unique performance or found a piece of art that now hangs in your home from the many visual artists on the Open Studios tour?  None of this happens without your help.

You can Show Us Your heART by becoming a Member of The Center for the Arts.  Your support provides you with many wonderful benefits and, in return, benefits the youth and artists in our community. From free programs like Family Fun Day to live theater to our visual arts gallery, The Center depends on membership and donations. We are grateful to be able to provide this vital community service, but we cannot do it without you.

40,000

Annual Attendees
From world-class entertainment in the Marisa Funk Theater, to Open Mic Night and theater performances in the Off Center Stage, the Center is always bustling with activity.

675

Musicians played at the center
Larkin Poe, Snarky Puppy, Allison Russell, Dave Mason, Three Dog Night, Ruthie Foster, Kishi Bashi, Watchhouse Duo, ALO, Elephant Revival, Pink Martini, Tower of Power., and so many more!

1000+

Artists supported
$12,528 of income generated for artists in 2023

1320

Visitors to our Granucci Gallery
Visitors bought 127 pieces of artwork this year.

295

Visual artists displayed art in our gallery
$17,012 total gallery sales in 2023.
With student group shows, fine art exhibitions, and the Open Studios Nevada County West Tour, our gallery is filled with art year round.

17

Teaching artists work at The Center
Dance, Visual Arts, Theater, Aerial Circus Arts and more. We are so grateful to have these artists in our community teaching future generations at The Center!

1644

Annual members
Membership is the backbone of The Center's success. Let's keep growing together!

67

Students performed on our stage
The Reluctant Dragon, Silver's Secret, and The Velveteen Rabbit were some of this year's productions that brought joy to audiences young and old!

887

Students attended our free matinee series
The Center for the Arts is proud to host FREE theater as part of an award granted by the California Arts Council. The award covers 2 years of FREE student matinees, and so far each has been a huge success and greatly appreciated by our local community, and educators. The Center looks forward to our next “sold out” matinee, Charlotte’s Web in March of 2024, and continuing to bring free live music and theater to young audiences in Nevada County.

1200+

People attend our FREE Family Fun Days each year
Popular with our local families, we strive to bring quality entertainment to kids 3 times a year. It is our generous sponsors who make this event free!

45+

Youth arts education programs
Our Center has daily classes, ranging from visual arts to dance, aerial circus, and theater. Each year we secure funding which provides necessary scholarships for young families who need the support, ensuring their kids get this valuable creative education.

NEW SONGS FEST

Launched in 2023
New Songs Fest 2023 was hosted by Rita Hosking, with workshops by Keith Greeninger, Laurie Lewis, Ruthie Foster, Royal Wood, and more!

$33,238

Donated for nonprofit rentals
In 2021, we received $25,000 for our Space Sharing Initiative that allowed us to waive our facility rates for many nonprofits organizations for a time. Between 2021 and 2022 we ended up donating $49,098 in facility rates to our nonprofit partners, double what we received funds for. In 2023, we donated $33,238 for nonprofit rentals without any fund allotments.

$238,640

Raised during our annual gala fundraiser
Our 6th Annual Gala on Saturday, November 11th, was a huge success. “A Gala That Pops!” raised an astounding $238,640 for The Center, providing critical support for operations and programs such as the space-sharing initiative, student scholarships, and The CREATE youth arts education program.

When you Show Us Your heART with a membership at The Center, you allow us to present more world-class artists on the stage, as well as take risks to present new, up and coming artists. Your support also allows us to fill the gallery with local visual artists, and keeps area youth in arts education activities year-round.

SHOW YOUR HEART IN OTHER WAYS

If you’ve already made your gift, are currently a member or have joined us for an event this year, sharing your experiences on social media and telling your friends is the most important thing you can do to make sure our impact continues into 2025. Thank you!