Parks and Recreation Links
Facility rentals and general information
- 952-563-8881
- Email Center for the Arts
Performances, tickets and galleries
- For ticket information, visit the individual resident arts organization tabs under the 2022-2023 Performance Series section.
Contact Information
General Parks and Recreation Inquiries
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Center for the Arts occupies the north end of Bloomington Civic Plaza. The facility is home to eight independently-operated resident arts organization tenants, two art galleries, and a diverse array of spaces rentable for City and private functions.
Monday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 - 6 p.m.
2023 BCA closures and schedule changes:
- Sunday, April 9 - Easter
- Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day
- Monday, June 19 - Juneteenth
- Tuesday, July 4 - Independence Day
- Monday, Sept. 4 - Labor Day
- Friday, Nov. 10 - Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving
- Friday. Nov. 24 - Thanksgiving
- Sunday, Dec. 24 - Christmas
- Monday, Dec. 25 - Christmas
Bloomington Box Office Info
Hours of Operation
- Wednesday: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
- Walk-up ticketing and Will Call: One hour prior to event start
Order tickets in one of four ways:
- Online: Bloomington Box Office
- Email: boxoffice@bloomingtonmn.gov
- Phone: 952-563-8545
- In person
Individual event ticket links can be found in the Performance Series and Guest Performers tabs below.
NOTE: Bloomington Box Office charges will typically appear on bank statements as: “Bloomington Center for the Arts” via ticketing provider, Vanco Events. However, some patrons have noticed alternate labels for the charges, including "City of Bloomington" and “Bloomington Ice Garden”. Despite the error in labeling, these are legitimate charges and should match the dollar amount of your ticketed total. We are working with Vanco Events to rectify the issue and apologize for any confusion.
Artistry Box Office Info
For Artistry event tickets, visit artistrymn.org/buytickets
The Center for the Arts includes two theaters, two galleries, dance studio and rehearsal spaces, art classrooms and offices for the facility's nine resident arts organizations. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for rentals.
Visit the Rentals and Reservations page for more details.
Fees and Forms
- 2023 Fee Schedule
- Indoor Space Rental Form
- Spaces include Schneider Theater, Black Box Theater, Rehearsal Hall, art studios and more.
- Outdoor Space Rental Form
- Spaces include East Lawn, Amphitheater and BCA Patio.
Learn more about the multi-use Black Box Theater space at Bloomington Center for the Arts.
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952-563-8567 |
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952-563-8582 |
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952-563-8573 |
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952-563-8562 |
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Artistry presents exhibitions in the Inez Greenburg Gallery and the Atrium Gallery at the north end of Bloomington Civic Plaza.
The Inez Greenberg Gallery typically features group shows, and site-specific art installations. The Atrium Gallery hosts smaller exhibits, often by a solo artist.
Accessibility: Bloomington Center for the Arts is accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Pets: No animals are allowed (excepting service animals for people with disabilities).
Smoking: Bloomington Center for the Arts is a nonsmoking facility. Smoking on the grounds is permitted only in designated areas.
Art Center mural: During the summer of 2007, mural artist Erik Pearson painted a 2,500-square-foot mural that wraps around the northeast corner of the Center for the Arts building's exterior.
VIDEOS AND MEDIA
Learn more about the galleries at Bloomington Center for the Arts in the video below. And then view the various individual exhibit features in the Gallery Exhibits Playlist on the City of Bloomington YouTube Channel.
Adult Open Painting Studio
The objective of this studio class is to have fun, relax, meet new friends, and create together in an unstructured class environment. Open to adults of any level of ability at the Bloomington Center for the Arts.
- When: Tuesday, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Drawing Studio, Bloomington Center for the Arts
- Who: Adults, ages 18+
- Session requires a minimum of 6 participants. Maximum participants per session is 16.
- Cost: $30/session for 6-week classes; $40/session for 8-week classes; $45/session for 9-week classes (see session schedule below)
- Register: Register online at blm.mn/webtrac.
- Registration opens 6 weeks before the beginning of each session and remains open until 1 day before or when session is full.
Session Schedule
- Session 1: September 20 - October 25, 2022 (6 weeks)
- Session 2: November 1 - December 27, 2022 (9 weeks)
- Session 3: January 3 - February 28, 2023 (9 weeks)
- Session 4: March 7 - April 25, 2023 (8 weeks)
- Session 5: May 2 - June 27, 2023 (9 weeks)
- Session 6: July 11 - August 15 (6 weeks)
The purpose of the grants is to provide general operating support to:
- High quality, established cultural arts groups and organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art
- Groups and organizations that provide a broad range of services to artists and art appreciators
- Organizations that make enriching, engaging, educational and entertaining cultural arts opportunities available to people of all ages, abilities and interests in the Bloomington community.
For information on eligibility, review criteria and the scoring process, please download the 2023 Cultural Arts Support Grant Review Criteria document.
To apply, please download, complete and submit all of the forms below.
- 2023 Cultural Arts Support RFP
- 2023 Cultural Arts Support ORG Budget Worksheet
- 2023 Cultural Arts Support Board of Directors List
- 2023 Cultural Arts Support Funders List
- 2023 Cultural Arts Support DEI Statistics
Application period opens Monday, January 9, 2023.
Submission deadline Friday, April 14, 2023, 10 p.m.
If you require assistance or have questions, please call 952-563-8877 or email centerforthearts@bloomingtonmn.gov.
A new study on the size and social, cultural and economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture sector in the City of Bloomington was released in February 2021, by Creative Minnesota, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and the City of Bloomington. The Creative Minnesota study is part of an ongoing series of research reports about the arts and culture sector in Minnesota that is available for free online at CreativeMN.org.
Creative Minnesota quantifies the impact and needs of Minnesota’s artists and creative workers, updates previous studies on the economic impact of our state’s 1903 nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and reviews other research about the arts sector in the state.
Volunteer as an usher and experience great performances at Bloomington Center for the Arts in person! For a detailed explanation of how to register and sign up for volunteer opportunities, download this How To Register to Volunteer guide.
To learn more about other volunteer opportunities (Farmers Market, Special Events, Summer Youth Programs, etc.) visit the Parks and Recreation Volunteer page.
2022-2023 PERFORMANCE SERIES
The Bloomington Center for the Arts Performance Series includes awe-inspiring theater, band, chorale and jazz concerts. Performances are held in the Schneider or Black Box theaters, located in the Bloomington Center for the Arts at the confluence of West 98th Street and West Old Shakopee Road. Free parking is available on site. View performance dates, times and other details below.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Rita Docter Scholarship Fundraiser Concert and Silent Auction: "Songs of the Decades!"
Learn more about Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs at AngeliaCantanti.org.
ARTISTRY
- The Pajama Game
- April 20 - May 14, 2023
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
- Godspell
- July 20 - August 13, 2023
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
- 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- October 5 - 29, 2023
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
Learn more about Artistry at ArtistryMN.org.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- This Shining Night
- Friday, December 16, 2022 - 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 4 p.m.
- Tickets
- Come Alive! It's Showtime!
- Friday, May 19, 2023 - 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 20, 2023 - 4 p.m.
Learn more about Bloomington Chorale at BloomingtonChorale.org.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Soul and Irony
- November 20, 2022
- 3 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
Learn more about Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at BloomingtonSymphony.org.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Beer and Ballet Fundraiser Event
- Saturday, September 17, 2022
- 7 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Saturday, December 3, 2022, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 4, 2022, 3 p.m.
- Friday, December 9, 2022, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 10, 2022, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 11, 2022, 3 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
- Cinderella Ballet
- Saturday, March 18, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 19, 2023, 3 p.m.
- Saturday, March 25, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 26, 2023, 3 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
Learn more about Continental Ballet Company at ContinentalBallet.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Remembrances: Honoring our Veterans
- Sunday, November 13, 2022, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
- Sounds of the Season
- Sunday, December 18, 2022, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
- At the Pops!
- Sunday, March 5, 2023, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Tickets
- Viva la Musica!
- Sunday, May 21, 2023, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
Learn more about Medalist Concert Band at MedalistBand.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- All the Things She Said: Evolution of Girl Groups
- June 3, 2023 - 5 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
Learn more about NOTEable Singers at NOTEableSingers.org.
GUEST PERFORMERS AND EVENTS
Each year, in addition to events presented by Bloomington Center for the Arts' Resident Arts Organizations, the BCA will also host a variety of guest performances and activities by other arts partners. See below for details.
StoryFest 2023: Shared Stories. Shared World.
Food trucks, stories, and fun for adults and youth all come to Bloomington Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 29.
Story Arts of Minnesota in partnership with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, brings the free storytelling festival, StoryFest 2023: Shared Stories, Shared World to the Twin Cities.
- Immerse yourself in storytelling with events starting at 11 a.m.
- Learn about storytelling during short workshops on some aspect of the art, or just listen to stories and concerts presented throughout the day.
- Enjoy the fun of telling stories with your kids during the youth and family oriented activities that allow exploration and listening together.
- Conclude the day with a storytelling concert geared for youth and families and then an evening storytelling concert for adults.
For complete schedules and information, visit the Story Arts of Minnesota website. For questions or additional details, email Story Arts of Minnesota at storyartsmn@gmail.com.
Discover Dance Series
The Discover Dance Series weekend dance festival features performances by four local dance companies representing a variety of styles.
This all-ages event allows the audience to discover and experience the joy and power of the art of dance!
Evening performances take place June 15-17 starting at 7 p.m. and feature:
- Alternative Motion Project (Modern)
- Concerto Dance (Jazz)
- The Continental Ballet Company (Ballet)
- Rhythm Street Movement (Tap).
Tickets $25 (+fees)
Bonus Masterclass Opportunity
Masterclasses will be offered by each company at Bloomington Center for the Arts on Saturday June 17, 1 - 3:30 p.m. Classes are geared to dancers ages 12 and up. Registration for the masterclass is free with a ticket to the performance, or $10 for just the class. See class descriptions below.
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Modern Dance with Alternative Motion Project
- Open-Level Modern: Students will learn the basic fundamentals of modern dance exercises, activities, and choreography in a welcoming and engaging environment. All levels welcome, no experience necessary!
- Experienced Modern: In a lively and welcoming atmosphere, students will Move BIG through modern dance through exercises. Participants will also get to learn some of AMP's choreography that will be performed in the Discover Dance Series performance at BCA. Suitable for students with some experience in dance or another movement style.
- Please wear clothing you are comfortable moving around in. No jeans. No shoes necessary. Socks or bare feet can be used.
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Jazz Dance with Concerto Dance
- Open-Level Jazz Dance: Students will explore jazz dance styles and techniques from the African roots of jazz to the swing era through to theatrical styles of jazz dance. Exercises include exploration of rhythm, vernacular dance, and basic jazz dance techniques. Emphasis placed on musicality, community, and groove in this fun non – competitive dance environment.
- Experienced Jazz Dance: Students will explore jazz dance styles and techniques from the African roots of jazz to the swing era through to theatrical styles of jazz dance in this fast-paced jazz dance technique class. Exercises include exploration of rhythm, vernacular dance, and jazz dance technique through center work, across the floor exercises, and learned choreography. Emphasis placed on musicality, community, and groove. This class is geared for students with previous dance experience in jazz, ballet, African, or other dance style.
- Students should come dressed ready to move in non-restrictive clothing that allows for full range of motion. Dance/exercise attire appropriate. No jeans. Jazz shoes welcomed but not required.
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Ballet with Continental Ballet Company
- Intro to Ballet: An Introduction to Ballet for beginner levels.
- Experienced Ballet Master Class: A Master Class for individuals with previous dancing experience.
- Students should have ballet slippers and wear comfortable clothes that don’t restrict movement. Hair should be pulled back and secured off of the face.
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Tap with Rhythm Street Music
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Open-Level Tap Class: Students will enter an environment of positive energy, musical creativity, and discovery! We will move through a basic overview of the foot, the tap shoe, and then basic tap vocabulary. (Step, stomp, stamp, toe, heal) From there the class will talk about rhythm patterns, time steps, and breaks! Then learn a little combination and collectively create a pocket, pulse, and groove together!
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Experienced Tap Class: Students will enter an environment of positive energy, musical creativity, respect, discipline and discovery! Tap shoes will be required for the experienced class. This class will start by taking you through a series of “skill drills” or rudiments and warm-up exercises. Then we will move into some call and response, ear training and improvisation exploration exercises. The class will then move into learning original company choreography. Steps, patterns, breaks, timing, shapes, and movement quality are all a part of this work. It is a wonderful opportunity for any tap dancer that has already explored a foundational education in tap dance.
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Students should come wearing athletic clothes and tap shoes. If they do not have tap shoes a hard bottom show will work. Sneakers are the least optimal shoe for learning tap dance because the rubber soles grip the floor.
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Class Schedule and Locations
Session 1, 1 - 2 p.m.
- Open/Intro Level Ballet - Studio
- Experienced Level Modern - Rehearsal Hall
- Open Level Jazz - Stage
- Experienced Tap - Black Box
Session 2, 2:15 - 3:14 p.m.
- Experienced Ballet -Studio
- Open Level Modern - Rehearsal Hall
- Experienced Jazz - Stage
- Open Level Tap - Black Box
Alive & Kickin presents Renaissance, a show that celebrates new beginnings! Moments in life where unexpected events bring about rebirth and renewal. Alive & Kickin is ready to ROCK & REdefine stereotypes around aging in an ALL NEW Original Production!
REnaissance features stories and songs from the A&k cast of thirty-eight seniors. Celebrate the "RE" moments that can shape, influence, or change the course of your life. Get ready to sing, dance, and be REenergized - REnewed - REdiscovered!
Alive & Kickin has new cast members, a new Executive Director, and a new attitude. We can’t wait to share it all with you!
Dates:
- Thursday, June 8 - 1 p.m.
- Friday, June 9 - 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 10 - 1 p.m.
- Saturday, June 10 - 6 p.m.
Want to see what Alive & Kickin is all about? Visit its YouTube Channel.
The trio of Bobby van Deusen (past member of the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band), Steve Pikal (also formerly with the BCDB), and Danny Coots (fabulous drummer from Nashville) will be present an exciting concert at the Schneider Theater Friday, June 23, 7:30 p.m.
The performance will feature music from Broadway shows such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, and Oklahoma, as well as classical, ragtime and other popular styles of music. Audience participation is always included.
Bobby won the World Piano Contest Senior Division in 2019 and again in 2022. He continues to tour the nation, receiving standing ovations after each performance. This is one you do not want to miss!
Tickets
- Adults - $25
- Seniors/Students - $20
CLICK HERE for a preview of Bobby in action!
Artistry is one of seven independent, nonprofit resident arts groups that holds a lease agreement with the City of Bloomington for facility use of spaces in the Center for the Arts. Artistry is not in charge of operational management of the facility. Artistry, Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, Bloomington Chorale, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, Continental Ballet, the Medalist Concert Band and the NOTEable Singers are independent nonprofit businesses governed separately from one another. Bloomington Center for the Arts is owned and operated by the City of Bloomington. The Bloomington City Council's decision on financial support of Artistry does not impact the other groups, and all seven are currently continuing to provide performances, education opportunities, and other programs at Bloomington Center for the Arts.