Chandler Center for the Arts

Chandler Center for the Arts (CCA), is located in Downtown Chandler, Arizona. Chandler Center for the Arts serves as a multi-theatre performing and visual arts facility. Supported by the City of Chandler, Chandler Unified School District and the nonprofit organization Chandler Cultural Foundation, it collaboratively serves the needs of students in the community, Monday through Thursday, with school arts curriculum, as well as residents from Chandler and the surrounding Metro Phoenix area, Friday through Sunday, with performances, exhibitions and events. Opening its doors in 1989, the City contracts with the Chandler Cultural Foundation to act as the programming and fundraising entity of the Chandler Center for the Arts on behalf of the City.

Serving more than 210,000 people annually, the Center presents diverse nationally recognized and emerging artists in performing art genres, such as jazz, opera, theatre, classic entertainment, comedy, dance and family attractions, and in a variety of visual art media, including sculpture, pottery, textile, watercolor, print, photography, glass, oil, and ceramics. The Center is equipped with three theatres and a 2,000 square foot exhibition hall. With a total seating capacity of 1,508, the unique design of the Center allows for two rear sections of the main auditorium to rotate 180 degrees to become two intimate performance spaces: The 346-seat Hal Bogle Theatre and the 250-seat Recital Hall. The walls between the separate performance areas prevent sound interference, thus allowing up to three productions to run simultaneously.

Galleries

There is a 2,000 square foot art gallery located inside the CCA, referred to as "The Gallery at the CCA", which features rotating displays by artists in such media as painting, watercolor, photography, and mixed media.

The Vision Gallery, a satellite gallery space of the Center, is located in the Chandler City Hall complex and is also managed by the Chandler Cultural Foundation. Originally opening its doors in 1997 in historic downtown Chandler, the gallery provides a full schedule of free professionally instructed art workshops to children, rotational art displays and a meeting space. The Vision Kids workshops serve more than 2,000 children each year and provide each child the experience of creating a unique work of art in a friendly environment.

History

The Chandler Center for the Arts was built in 1989. At the same time as its construction, The City of Chandler created the Chandler Cultural Foundation [1] in order to create programming finance development for Chandler Center of the Arts. As the programming entity of CCA, the Chandler Cultural Foundation presents quality programs that would not otherwise be available in the community.

In 2006, the Center was recognized for its outstanding contributions to the arts with the Governor's Arts Award in the Community category. The award is present annually by the Office of the Governor, Arizona Commission on the Arts, and Arizona Citizens for the Arts.

In 2009, the Center underwent a $6.7 million renovation project in order to modernize its facility and theatrical systems. Improvements included updates to the HVAC, telecommunication and security systems, complete replacement of the fire alarm and main stage rigging systems, refurbishment of auditorium seating, upgrades to house lighting and controls, new signage, new dressing rooms and backstage offices, improved ADA accessibility throughout the building and site, and renovation of the main terrace entry way. The project was funded by voter approved bonds through the City of Chandler and the Chandler Unified School District in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The renovations were completed in 2010. Further investments into the facility were made in 2018 with the installation of the CODA AiRAY sound system, becoming the first venue to have the innovative system. The sound system was installed to continue providing world-class performance experiences at the Center.

In its 2019–2020 season, Chandler Center for the Arts will celebrate 30 years in the community.

Volunteers

More than 200,000 people visit the Center each year, and for many of them, volunteers are their first point of contact with the Center. Volunteers provide an invaluable service by welcoming patrons and helping them have an enjoyable experience at the Center.

Volunteers support Chandler Center for the Arts through a variety of important activities including serving as ushers and ticket takers, or at The Gallery at CCA.

Each year, 150 active volunteers donate more than 10,000 hours to Chandler Center for the Arts through two programs, Friends of the Center and Arts Ambassadors.

Board of directors
  • Jeanne Forbis, Chair
  • Linda Carol Yarbrough, Vice Chair
  • Steena Murray, Treasurer
  • Julia Marreel, Secretary
  • Susan Baker
  • Mike Halle
  • Renee Levin
  • Christopher McMullan
  • Deb Mencl
  • Barbara Meyerson
  • Lorah Neville
  • Jason S. Ridley
  • Mary Jo Woolf-Whitaker
  • LaTricia Woods
  • David M. Woodruff
  • Jerry Brooks, Board Member Emeritus

References
  1. Kehrberg, Amanda. “No Longer a Dream: Chandler Center for the Arts celebrates 20 years.” Ahwatukee Magazine. Jan. 2009: 49. Print

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