Center for the Arts unveils plans for multimillion-dollar renovation

The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley on Wednesday unveiled its proposed multimillion-dollar renovation to upgrade the popular facility.

The idea is to create a design that will satisfy needs for the next generation — or 25 to 30 years. In just a decade, the Center for the Arts — once the site of an auto repair garage on a mini “auto-row” — has become one of the leading arts and entertainment venues in the foothills.

“The main theater seating will increase from 300 to 350 seats to maximize the space and the communities’ capacity to support such a venue,” according to the plans. “In addition, there are significant upgrades planned for dressing rooms, tech booth, seating, heating and air conditioning, office space, the Main Lobby and many other details.

“The current plan calls for retaining the existing façade, the second floor space (currently used by Sierra Dance Institute) and the Off Center Stage.”

A fundraising effort begins this summer. The effort got underway with a $250,000 grant from the city’s redevelopment agency.

An article about the Center, from Sierra FoodWineArt, is here.