We’ve made tremendous progress over the past year on the flagship Performing Arts Center project, spearheaded by the local nonprofit Partnership for the Performing Arts (PPA). This transformative facility, designed to seat 800, will be situated on the Del Norte High School campus, strategically located near the band room and west of the track and football field. Built on the unceded land of the Tolowa dee-ni’, it promises to be a long-overdue cultural and civic hub for everyone. Even if you’re in the top row in the corner you will still have a fabulous view! Courtesy Photo #placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write(''); A Facility for AllThe Performing Arts Center will be more than a venue for band, choir, dance, and theater students—it will be a multi-purpose Civic Center offering vital resources for the entire community. As one of the few large facilities in Crescent City outside the tsunami zone, it will play a critical role during emergencies, serving as a gathering place and providing access to essential resources like food services, transportation, and communication hubs.Beyond emergencies, the Center will host graduations, town hall meetings, scholarship awards, and performances by local and touring artists. With this facility, our community can enjoy events that were once unavailable.This project is made possible through the collaborative efforts of PPA, the Del Norte Unified School District, and a host of partners, including the Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation, Elk Valley Rancheria, Yurok Nation, and College of the Redwoods. These partnerships highlight the facility’s importance to our region.The Center will also provide a world-class stage for local arts non-profits.All-County Concert held in Thunen Gym on February 10th, 2024. Do you think our kids need and deserve a Performing Arts Center?A UC Davis study estimates the Center will generate an annual economic impact of $1.9 million for Del Norte County. This aligns with our goal of supporting local businesses and creating a vibrant, thriving community.By hosting events ranging from cultural festivals to professional conferences, the Center will be a driver of economic growth and a magnet for cultural enrichment. For our county, the fifth most impoverished in California, it is a game-changer. Looking AheadThis past October, PBK Architects completed the basic design, which is now with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for approval. We expect the process to conclude by July of this year, paving the way for construction to begin in 2026 and finish by August 2027.The $43.2 million capital campaign is in full swing, with major fundraising efforts targeting state and national donors. Letters of support from local tribes, civic organizations, and government agencies underscore the broad appeal and necessity of this project. Your support is crucial to making this dream a reality. Together, we can create a space that uplifts our youth, strengthens partnerships, and serves as a beacon of culture and community pride.“Every dollar invested in this project is a step toward a brighter, more connected future for Del Norte County.” – Retired local educators and arts patrons Bill & Kathy Maffett For more information or to make a gift, please visit www.ppadelnorte.org or email us at info@ppadelnorte.org. See you on the stage in 2027! googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });