To promote the Chandler Center for the Arts as a prominent and inclusive cultural institution by providing quality performing and visual arts programs that reflect the needs of a diverse community; and to raise funds to support programs and future needs of the Chandler Center for the Arts.

The Chandler Center for the Arts is a premier cultural resource that focuses on leading, advocating and advancing arts and culture in the greater Chandler area and is sustained by stable financial resources.

How We Achieve Our Mission

1. Provide Quality, Diverse and Affordable Performing and Visual Arts Programs
   Because Chandler Center for the Arts is a shared-use facility between the City and School District and is programmed by the Chandler Cultural Foundation, the costs of operating and programming an arts facility are spread out among several entities.   As a result, the Foundation is in a unique position of being able to offer high quality programs at highly competitive ticket pricing.  For example, the average ticket price in fiscal year ending June 30, 2005 was $24.94. Performances offered during that year include The American Tenors,  Marvin Hamlisch, George Winston, The Pat Methany Group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Opera Verdi Europa-Aida, and The APS Family series, to name just a few.    Additionally, there is no admission charge to view an exhibit at the Center or Vision Gallery.  Dozens of exhibits are provided each year to the public and represent a diverse range of artistic mediums and cultural origins.
   
   
2. Outreach and Education
   
   Outreach and education broaden community participation in the arts and help to fulfill our mission to serve as an inclusive cultural institution. The Arts Pass, Vision Kidz, and Free Summer Concert Series are programs that support this effort.
   
   The Arts Pass program entails providing free tickets to non-profit agencies to distribute to clients who might otherwise be unable to engage in the arts.  Examples of shows in which free tickets were previously distributed include Opera Verdi Europa-Aida, the Peking Acrobats, Salt River Brass, Side Street Strutters, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Comedy Pet Theatre and the Blind Boys of Alabama, to name just a few. The Arts Pass program serves 2,000-3,000 underserved citizens each year.
   
   The Vision Kidz Workshop Series at the Vision Gallery is a free workshop series taught by professional artists to children, affording them early exposure to the visual arts and the opportunity to create their own masterpiece. It is one of the only such free programs of arts education for Children.  Geared for students of all ages, workshops are offered in a variety of mediums, such as batik, ceramics, collage, painting, watercolor, drawing, instrument making and so much more.  More than 1,200 children benefit each year from the Vision Kidz Workshops.
   
   The Free Summer Concert Series is an annual series of free concerts that has been enjoyed by the public since 1996.  Examples of past free concerts include Burning Sky, New Traditions, San Marcos String Quartet, Nuance Jazz Trio and Sonido Global, to name just a few. 
   
   
   
3. Provide Performance and Gathering Space
   
   The Center also serves as a performance site to nearly 40 performing arts groups in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  These groups showcase some of the best talent in Arizona and contribute to the diversity of cultural enrichment opportunities at the Center.  Civic and private groups also use the Center to engage the community in special meetings and celebrations.   Examples of groups who regularly use the Center include Ballet Etudes, Salt River Brass, Chandler Symphony, Mesa Symphony, Phoenix Boys Choir, Phoenix Girls Chorus, Fiesta Chorus, Tempe Dance Academy, Kimberly Lewis School of Dance to name just a few.

Who We Serve

Our programs serve the entire Phoenix-metropolitan area and draw an average attendance of 282,000 each year.   Due to our location in Chandler, a significant portion of our audience resides in Chandler and the southeast Valley.   Chandler’s population is growing at a rate of  900 residents per month and has a total population of 240,000.  Currently, the Chandler Center for the Arts is the only indoor cultural venue in Chandler, and one of the only venues in the Valley that is able to provide quality programming at a highly competitive cost.  Outreach programs, such as the Vision Kidz, Arts Pass and Free Summer Concert Series are provided at no cost to participants. As a result, we serve a wide audience, ranging from families, to young adults to senior citizens, from all socio-economic and racial backgrounds.