San Luis Obispo
2023/24 YEAR IN REVIEW
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
It has been an amazing and transformative year at the Performing Arts Center filled with space improvements and fantastic performances that welcomed over 100,000 attendees.
One of the things that drew me to the PAC over 10 years ago was the commitment to continual improvement, a staple since opening the doors to the Christopher Cohan Center in 1996. One of our foundational goals in that e ort is to keep this building in the best condition possible and to constantly look for ways to improve the patron experience. Beginning last summer, we embarked on a few major projects with hopes of improving our venue and adding to its beauty.
The Trust Automation Plaza o cially opened in April thanks to the generous donation from the Safreno Family & Trust Automation. This addition has brought seating, light, and magic to the Plaza for the first time, and we hope you will come early and stay late and enjoy the newly improved Plaza when attending a show. After a decade of wear and tear, the carpet throughout the PAC was replaced. The result added a warmth and creativity to our lobby and theater spaces.
In our ongoing e orts to expand accessibility, we started a partnership with KultureCity to make the PAC a Sensory Inclusive venue to provide an inclusive experience for all guests. The certification supplies our sta with annual training and allows us to o er resources and accommodations to our guests with sensory processing needs. We are thrilled to have these additions completed and look forward to additional projects down the road that will enhance your experience and improve what we are able to o er our community.
We have also made an e ort to make our lobby spaces more vibrant and connect art of all forms at the PAC. One of the key additions has been establishing a visual arts initiative, starting o this season with installations by Central Coast artist Kellen Meyer. Kellen’s feature piece, Moon, was hung in the atrium as you walk through our front doors and rotating seasonal collections were hung in the Gallery lobby. We have loved seeing the joy and interest that Kellen’s pieces have brought to patrons throughout this season and are looking forward to creating more partnerships with visual artists.
Ryan Gruss Director
Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
It has been a dynamic year of performances on stage as we have welcomed over 83,000 patrons to ticketed performances, 9,700 students to our School Matinee Program and another 10,000 attendees for non-ticketed events. We have been blown away by the talents of the performers on stage and have marveled at the full audiences that have enjoyed our 2023-24 season. We love to share the power of the performing arts with you and are grateful for the immense support of this community that makes what we do possible. We are always thankful when you give us the opportunity to serve you and look forward to welcoming you again in the 2024-25 season.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
As we reflect on this extraordinary season, we’re filled with gratitude for the abundance of talent and creativity that graced our stage.
Cal Poly Arts curated an exceptional lineup this season, showcasing performances from around the globe that captivated and delighted audiences. From the wit of David Sedaris to the festive cheer of Nochebuena, the electrifying rhythms of STOMP, the soulful melodies of Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, the mesmerizing ukulele virtuosity of Jake Shimabukuro, and captivating Broadway musicals, each show left an unforgettable impression on our patrons.
Our resident companies, including OperaSLO, Ballet Theatre SLO, Civic Ballet of SLO, SLO Symphony, and SLO Master Chorale, delivered stellar productions that showcased the incredible talent and dedication within our community. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has enriched our cultural landscape and brought immense joy to audiences throughout the season.
We’re also grateful for many other performances that graced our stage this season, including Grand Kyiv Ballet, Whose Live Anyway, Amy Grant, The TEN Tenors, SLO Comedy Festival, Jewel, and so many more.
OperaSLO:Disney’s
Beauty & the Beast The Musical
TheTEN Tenors: Rotary De Tolosa Benefit
Grand Ky
ivBallet:SnowWhite
NUMBERS
AT A GLANCE
139
TOTAL EVENTS AT THE PAC
161
300 TICKETED EVENTS
NON-TICKETED EVENTS
Meetings, Conferences, etc.
TOTAL TICKET BUYERS 83K
*Numbers include events held in Harold Miossi Hall, Spanos Theatre, & PAC Pavilion.
OUTREACH
It was another exciting School Matinee Program season, welcoming over 9,700 local students to the PAC to experience free performances. Programming this year included dance company BODYTRAFFIC, U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus, NORTH: The Musical, Tomás and the Library Lady, Lightwire Theater’s Dino-Light, Charlotte’s Web, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and 123 Andrés: Around the Americas! We also o ered our first ever “choose-what-you-pay” performance to the community this season for NORTH: The Musical that was attended by over 800 people.
“I watched as many of my students raised their hands when asked if it was anyone’s first time at the PAC. Without donor generosity, many of my students would never be exposed to the performing arts/music in a venue like this! It is very much appreciated and valued!”
Hawthorne Elementary Teacher
13
SCHOOLS REACHED 84 STUDENTS SERVED 9.7K FREE MATINEE FIELD TRIPS
STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS 50%
NORTH: The Musical
Support for the School Matinee Program is generously provided by Foundation for the Performing Arts Center donors and the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust.
HOURS OF TECH LABOR FOR OTHER CAMPUS DEPTS. 400
278K EVENTS TICKETED THROUGH THE BOX OFFICE 396
WEBSITE VISITORS
1.1M pageviews
3,563
FOLLOWERS
5,879 FOLLOWERS
$2.05M
TICKET REVENUE FOR LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
104
PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS CREATED
FOUNDATION FOR THE PAC
The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) is thrilled to highlight key milestones from this season. This spring, we unveiled the Trust Automation Plaza, a beautiful garden space made possible by the generosity of the Safreno Family and Trust Automation. That same night, we hosted our first benefit concert featuring Grammy-winning folk singer Jewel, a passionate advocate for mental health services. Her performance was undoubtedly a season highlight. We welcomed over 9,700 local students to the PAC through our School Matinee Program, marking a return to pre-COVID attendance levels. Across 13 performances, students enjoyed captivating shows by BODYTRAFFIC, Lightwire Theater’s Dino-Light, Charlotte’s Web, and 123 Andrés: Around the Americas!
FPAC remains dedicated to supporting local performing arts groups in San Luis Obispo County through the Clifton Swanson Community Access to the PAC Grant. This season, we proudly awarded grants to Ballet Theatre SLO, Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, SLO Master Chorale, SLO Symphony, and OperaSLO. The Swanson Grant Fund enables local artists to grace the PAC stage, helping to o set the substantial financial burden of producing exceptional performances in Harold J. Miossi Hall.
Finally, this year the Performing Arts Center received some stunning upgrades. The carpet was replaced throughout the PAC with a modern, durable design that will hold up beautifully under the footsteps of tens of thousands of annual visitors. In partnership with the PAC, the FPAC also renovated the Founders Room, the elegant space where we host pre-receptions for Center Circle and VIP donors. All these improvements were made with the intention of providing an exemplary experience for our patrons from the moment each walks through the plaza until settled in for a great performance.
Kristin Hoover Executive Director Foundation for the Performing Arts Center
Geri LaChance Board President Foundation for the Performing Arts Center
FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS
Saw a 28% increase funds raised through the Crescendo Club Monthly Giving Program
Awarded Clifton Swanson Community Access Grant to five local arts organization to help subsidize the cost of performing at the PAC
Celebrated the Grand Opening of the Trust Automation Plaza Enhancement Project
Hosted a benefit concert with Grammy-winning singer, Jewel, that had over 1,000 attendees
DONATED TO SUPPORT YOUTH & COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE PAC $150K
300+
ARTISTS SUPPORTED THROUGH THE SWANSON FUND GRANT THIS YEAR
GROWTH IN MEMBERS JOINING 53%
The Foundation for the PAC helps ensure that the Performing Arts Center remains accessible to all community members and local performing arts groups.
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FINANCIALS EXPENSES
REVENUE
