Bloomington Center for the Arts

Bloomington Center for the Arts (BCA) occupies the north end of the Bloomington Civic Plaza campus, which also includes the City’s police headquarters, service counters, and office stations for City staff. Constructed and opened in 2003, the BCA serves a diverse group of constituents and events. 

• It is home to seven independently-operated, non-profit resident arts organization tenants
• It houses several civic engagement programs
• It hosts large-scale city and community annual festivals
• It serves as an extension of Civic Plaza for City departmental use
• It operates community arts education programs
• It offers a diverse array of spaces rentable for City and private functions
• It has two art galleries featuring local visual artists and exhibitions
• It hosts over 150 live events and performances annually

Open the tabs below for more information about BCA amenities and offerings. 

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.

2026 BCA Closures

• Monday, January 1 - New Year's Day*
• Monday, January 19 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Monday, February 16 - Presidents' Day
• Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day
• Friday, June 19 - Juneteenth
• Saturday, July 3* and 4 - Independence Day
• Monday, September 7 - Labor Day
• Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day
• Thursday, November 26 - Thanksgiving
• Friday. November 27  - Day After Thanksgiving
• Friday, December 25 - Christmas*

* Closing at 4:30 p.m. the day before

RENT SPACE AT BCA

The Center for the Arts includes two theaters, two galleries, dance studio and rehearsal spaces, art classrooms and offices for the facility's seven resident arts organizations. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for rentals. Click the blue button above to visit the online rental page. 

Visit the Rentals and Reservations page for additional details.

NOTE: BCA is no longer accepting party rental reservations. Outdoor park shelters are available to rent for parties from April 15 through October 15 annually. Bloomington Ice Garden also offers rental spaces for parties. The new Community Health and Wellness Center will be available for party rental upon completion in 2027. 

Fees and Forms

• BCA Rental Space Information Packet
• 2026 Center for the Arts Performance, Arts and Council Space Rental Fees
• 2026 Civic Plaza Conference Room Rental Fees and Request Form
• Outdoor Space Rental Request 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. 

Did You Know? The Black Box Theater

Video URL: https://youtu.be/FD3EZjIu-X4

Artistry presents exhibitions in the Inez Greenburg Gallery and the Atrium Gallery at the north end of Bloomington Civic Plaza. Explore current and future programming on the Artistry website.

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. 

Discover Bloomington: Civic Plaza Art

Video URL: https://youtu.be/t3BHpK5gfPk

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 1,903 nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and reviews other research about the arts sector in the state.

Click the image below to see the full report as a PDF. 

Image above shows economic metrics of 25 arts organizations on the City from Bloomington including $4.3 million spent by the organizations, $7.8 million spent by arts customers, and a total impact of $12.1 million on the City. Also shown are the $196 million in spending by full-time artists and creative workers, $88 million by part-time artists and creative workers, and $284 million in resulting economic impact on Hennepin County.  

Volunteer as an usher and experience great performances at Bloomington Center for the Arts in person. Usher Sign-Up

To learn more about other volunteer opportunities (Farmers Market, Special Events, Summer Youth Programs, etc.) visit the Parks and Recreation Volunteer page.  

This summer, Bloomington Center for the Arts is turning creativity and curiosity into hands-on fun for rising 3rd – 9th graders! 

From slime making to home alone training, each session is packed with engaging activities led by enthusiastic specialists in a welcoming, creative environment.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Rising 3rd - 5th Grade Students (Fall 2026): Tuesdays, July  7 - 28, 2026, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

• July 7 - Home Alone Training: Safety and Entertainment 
  • Participants will gain essential skills for spending time at home alone. This session will focus on staying safe and planning activities to have by yourself!
• July 14 - Home Alone Training: Cooking and Emergencies
  • Participants will gain essential skills for spending time at home alone. This session will focus on microwave cooking and emergency preparedness.
• July 21 - Slime Day
  • Learn about the chemical reactions that make slime possible, create two different textures of slime, and participate in a slime review!
• July 28 - Watercolor Mania
  • Study expert examples of watercolor, learn and execute specific painting techniques, and create your flowing masterpiece!

Rising 6th - 9th Grade Students (Fall 2026): Thursdays, July 9 - 30, 2026, 1 - 3 p.m.

• July 9 - Intro to Collage Art
  • Study expert examples of collage, learn and execute specific collage techniques, and create your multi-media masterpiece!
• July 16 - Survival Skills: Knot-tying, Orienteering, and Trail Cooking
  • Participants will gain essential wilderness survival skills for spending time outdoors. This session will include tying sturdy knots, exploring an orienteering course, and cooking a trail meal!
• July 23 - Basics in Digital Art
  • Experience the wonders of digital art using a variety of web-based platforms! Participants will learn specific digital techniques, study professional examples, and think outside the box to create a unique digital masterpiece.
• July 30 - Make Your Own Aesthetic Mood Board
  • Discover your individual aesthetic and style using a variety of web-based platforms! Participants will learn about what makes their style unique, create their vision, and make their own digital mood board.

REGISTRATION

• Required and accepted until full.
• Register online at blm.mn/webtrac. 
• Maximum of 10 participants per session

FEE

• Only $5 per participant! 
• All materials provided. 

Questions?

Do you have questions or want more information? Email centerforthearts@bloomingtonmn.gov. 

Artistry Classes

• Clay Studio: artistrymn.org/claystudio
• Dance Studio: artistrymn.org/dancestudio
• Drawing Studio: artistrymn.org/drawingstudio
• Glass Studio: artistrymn.org/glassstudio

Sing, dance, play and learn! 

Music Together classes by Ensemble Music not only develop music skills, they nurture creativity, self-expression, and confidence while also supporting social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. 

• Where: Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd.
  • Rehearsal Hall
• When: 
  • Wednesdays, May 6 - June 24, 2026 (8 weeks)
    • 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
• Who: Youth up to 5 years of age.
• Fees: 
  • $168 per participant.
    • Add siblings for $85 each.
    • Youth 8 months old and under: free with paid sibling.
• Registration: Sign up online at Webtrac. 
• Equipment and Materials: Provided. Includes songbook, CD and digital download of songs used in class.

Heijeu Arts Classes

During the Bloomington Farmers Market, you can enjoy FREE drop-in art making Saturday July 25 and August 22, 2026, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall at Bloomington Center for the Arts. 

Art for All! 

Everyone can play and explore with art supplies regardless of age, background or creative training. 

Come with your favorite humans for free art activity stations where you can discover new materials, refine your art skills and learn new art games.

Best of all, it's free! 

More offerings coming in Fall 2026. Watch this space for details!

Bloomington Box Office Info

BUY TICKETS

Office Hours and Customer Service
Wednesday - Friday, 12 - 5 p.m. 

Questions? Contact Bloomington Box Office at:
boxoffice@bloomingtonmn.gov or 952-563-8545

Bloomington Box Office opens one hour prior to each performance for in-person sales and will call pickup.

Artistry Box Office Info

BUY TICKETS

Office Hours and Customer Service
Wednesday - Friday, 12 - 5 p.m. 

Questions? Contact Artistry at:
info@artistrymn.org or 952-563-8575. 

Artistry Box Office opens one hour prior to each performance for in-person sales & Will Call pickup

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Pixar Hits & Disney Favorites

  • Rita Docter Scholarship Fundraiser Concert and Silent Auction
  • Sunday, February 22, 2026
  • 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. shows
  • Tickets

For more information about Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, visit AngeliaCantanti.org or call 952-563-8572.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Kiss Me, Kate

  • January 22 - February 15, 2026
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

• The Mountaintop

  • February 12 - March 1, 2026
  • Black Box Theater
  • Tickets

• What the Constitution Means to Me

  • May 14 - June 7, 2026
  • Black Box Theater
  • Tickets

• In the Heights

  • July 30 - August 23, 2026
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

• Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost Testicle

  • September 10 - 27, 2026
  • Black Box Theater
  • Tickets

• You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

  • October 1 - 25, 2026
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

• Billy Elliot: The Musical

  • January 13 - February 7, 2027
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

For more information about Artistry, visit ArtistryMN.org or call 952-563-8575.

Discover Bloomington: Artistry Theater

Video URL: https://youtu.be/clr8kDXCx0M

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Minnesota Music - You Betcha!

  • Friday, May 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 16, 2026, 4 p.m.
  • Tickets

For more information about the Bloomington Chorale, visit BloomingtonChorale.org or call 952-563-8582.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Art Finds a Way

  • Sunday, November 23, 2025, 2 p.m.
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

For more information about the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, visit BloomingtonSymphony.org or call 952-563-8573.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Giselle

  • Saturday, March 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 15, 2026, 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 21, 2026, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22, 2026, 3 p.m.
  • Tickets

For more information about Continental Ballet Company, visit ContinentalBallet.com or call 952-563-8562.

Discover Bloomington: Continental Ballet Company

Video URL: https://youtu.be/jtEjxLc1ftQ

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Elements

  • Saturday, February 28, 2026, 4 p.m.
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets 

• If It Ain't Got That Swing

  • Sunday, May 17, 2026, 4 p.m.
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

For more information about Medalist Concert Band, visit MedalistBand.com or call 952-563-8583.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Summer Road Trip

  • Saturday, May 30, 2026, 5 p.m.
  • Schneider Theater
  • Tickets

For more information about NOTEable Singers, visit NOTEableSingers.org or call 952-563-8582.

Resident Arts Organizations are independent,nonprofit groups that hold long-term lease agreements at Bloomington Center for the Arts. These organizations have partnered with the City of Bloomington over several years to provide a wealth of artistic experiences to the greater south-metro community. Bloomington Center for the Arts is owned and operated by the City, with its own staffing and governance independent of Resident organizations.