Music in the Mountains joins The Center’s “Company in Residence” program

THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS are collaborating in a new program that gives MIM a brand new home for some of its classical music programs.

The pioneering deal between the region’s two arts and culture stalwarts underscores growing collaboration among our performing arts groups, providing an economic benefit. The Center’s “Company in Residence” program was unveiled this month at its annual meeting and season preview at the Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley.

The deal calls for the some (but not all) MIM concerts and the MIM Youth Orchestra to perform at The Center’s renovated concert center in downtown Grass Valley in 2020.

The agreement comes as a multimillion-dollar project to renovate The Center is well underway. Work is set for completion in November and includes a 492-seat theater with retractable seating to allow for “intimate cabaret performances, seated concerts, banquets and dance concerts.”

Other features include a state-of-the-art sound system, additional stage and backstage space, a welcoming lobby with expanded bar and concessions, and expanded gallery space.

MIM will continue to offer concerts at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, which includes the Amaral Center, as well as outdoor concerts such as SummerFest at “California’s most beautiful fairgrounds.”

MIM is working on the logistics of renting The Center’s refurbished performing arts center for rehearsals; some concerts, such as chamber concerts and holiday choral concerts; and the MIM Youth Orchestra’s performances.

Still, The Center could wind up hosting a significant amount of MIM’s future program- ming under the deal. The Center also is expected to sign other local nonprofits and performing arts groups under its “Company- in-Residence” program.

At the same time, MIM is moving its offices to the historic Old Post Office building in downtown Grass Valley, so it will be closer to The Center for the Arts.