The Dorothy Rohnert Spreckels Performing Arts Center, a city-owned and operated facility, provides the finest performing arts programming from around the world for the residents of Rohnert Park, Sonoma County and the surrounding regions while ensuring access to Center facilities for presentations by local arts and civic organizations. Over the years, the state-of-the-art facility has set the standard for cultural and community events in the North Bay, serving nearly half a million people from Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Mendocino counties.
Included in the City's master plan in the late 1970s, the Performing Arts Center joined the Sports Center and Community Center as components of the Rohnert Park Community Campus. The construction of this $10 million model Performing Arts Center was completed in 1990 and fully paid for through a bequest by Fred Rohnert, community development agency funds, annexation fees, a contribution from Pacific Gas & Electric, Co., Federal Revenue Sharing Funds and City funds.
The facility totals 41,000 square feet and houses two theatres designed and built exclusively for dance, music and theatrical performances. The Nellie W. Codding Theatre seats 550 patrons and offers a variety of dance, music and theatre performances. The innovative Bette Condiotti Experimental Theatre seats up to 125 patrons and presents more unusual programming as well as productions by local arts groups, schools and civic organizations.
Endowment Fund
Throughout America, corporations, individuals and private organizations are working cooperatively with the public sector to enhance the quality of life in their communities by supporting expanded cultural and community services. The Dorothy Rohnert Spreckels Performing Arts Center is an outstanding example of this type of "public-private partnership". Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, the Center has maintained the quality of its programming while ensuring its future. An essential element in our plan for long-term financial stability is our Endowment Fund Campaign. The Center Endowment Fund is a project designed to raise funds to be held in trust with the interest each year providing support to operate the Center. Presently, Spreckels has over one million dollars in its Endowment Fund, which will provide a substantial portion of this year's operating budget.
The Endowment Fund revenue allows the Center to:
- Maintain our policy of affordable ticket prices
- Subsidize rental rates for community groups
- Help to support operations and programming for education and children's programs
- Reduce significantly, if not eliminate, the use of City tax dollars toward Center operational costs
The Spreckels Performing Arts Center gratefully acknowledges its many supporters for their generous gifts on behalf of the Center and for their dedication to the enrichment of our community.