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.

2024 BCA closures and schedule changes:

• Monday, January 1 - New Year's Day*
• Monday, January 15 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Monday, February 19 - Presidents' Day
• Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day
• Wednesday, June 19 - Juneteenth
• Thursday, July 4 - Independence Day*
• Monday, Sept. 2 - Labor Day
• Friday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
• Thursday, Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving
• Friday. Nov. 29  - Day After Thanksgiving
• Wednesday, Dec. 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.  

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

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Artists Retreat (Canceled)

Do you love connecting with other artists and creatives? Are you looking to give yourself the gift of time, inspiration and playful exploration? Join us for a full-day retreat designed to refresh your creative spirit and build connections with a lively group of makers.

From sketchbook creation to mixed-media exploration, this one-day experience blends relaxation, experimentation, and meaningful conversation. We’ll spend the morning exploring materials and making sketchbooks, take a midday break for lunch together at a local restaurant (a perfect excuse to step back from our works-in-progress), and return to the studio to develop a small series of artworks in the afternoon.

Take a day to reconnect with your creativity, your community, and yourself.

Schedule Overview

• Date and Time: Saturday, February 28 (Chose one. Sessions are identical.).
  • 9:30am–12pm — Introductions, material exploration, and handmade sketchbook activity.
  • 12–1pm — Lunch at a local restaurant near the art center.
  • 1–4pm — Create a series of artworks using a variety of materials and discuss the final selection process.
• Location: Painting Studio
• Participants: Adults 18+. Maximum 12, minimum 6.
• Registration: Required and accepted until full. Sign up online at Webtrac.
  • Registration deadline is February 21.
• Fee: $150 per participant. All materials provided. 

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Basics of Abstract Art (Canceled)

Let go of perfection and dive into the freedom of abstraction! In this playful, hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the elements of art and principles of design to better understand what makes abstract art so dynamic—and how those same ideas apply to all forms of creativity.

Experiment with paint, collage, drawing, and more on a variety of surfaces—from paper to canvas—while discovering your own expressive visual language. Expect bold marks, unexpected color combinations, and a healthy dose of creative mess!

Schedule Overview

• Dates: Tuesdays, January 27 - February 17, 2026
• Times: 1 - 4 p.m.
• Location: Painting Studio
• Participants: Adults 18+. Maximum 12, minimum 4.
• Registration: Required and accepted until full. Sign up online at Webtrac.
  • Register for one, two, three or all four sessions.
  • Registration deadline is one week prior to each session.
• Fee: $40 per participant, per session. All materials provided. 

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Creative Sampler (Canceled)

Creative Sampler is the perfect way to dive into the world of making—and an open invitation to rediscover your creativity! Instructor, Heidi Jeub, spent nearly half a century turning ideas into art, and this 6-week class is designed to teach the technical skills and creative philosophy that keep the process fresh, fearless, and fun.

Each session blends skill-building with playful experimentation. You’ll learn foundational techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and collage while developing your own voice through a mix of guided exercises and personal projects. Together, we’ll make a hardbound journal, explore color and composition through Gelli prints and mixed-media studies, and finish by creating a small art series of your choice—on canvas, paper, or as a handmade book.

Schedule Overview

• Weeks 1–2: Make your own hardbound visual journal.
• Weeks 3–4: Drawing, painting, Gelli prints, and collage.
• Weeks 5–6: Create your own mini art series.

This class is ideal for curious beginners and seasoned makers alike. It’s a space to play, take creative risks, and connect with a community of fellow explorers.

• Dates: Wednesdays, January 28 - March 4, 2026 (6 sessions).
• Times: 4 - 6 p.m.
• Location: Children's Studio.
• Participants: Ages 8-12. Maximum 12, minimum 4.
• Registration: Required and accepted until full. Sign up by January 21, 2026 at Webtrac.
• Fee: $250 per participant. All materials provided. 

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.