Bloomington Center for the Arts
Parks and Recreation Links
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
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: As of summer 2024, BCA is no longer accepting rental party reservations. Outdoor park shelters are available to rent for parties from April 15 through October 15 annually. Bloomington Ice Garden and the new Community Health and Wellness Center will be available for party rental upon completion of their current renovation and construction projects.
Fees and Forms
- 2025 Performance, Arts and Council Space Rental Fees
- Performance, Arts and Council Space Rental Form
- 2025 Conference Room Rental Fees
- Conference Room Rental Form
- 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.
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.
Artistry Classes
- Clay Studio: artistrymn.org/claystudio
- Dance Studio: artistrymn.org/dancestudio
- Drawing Studio: artistrymn.org/drawingstudio
- Glass Studio: artistrymn.org/glassstudio
Heijeu Arts Classes
Creative Sampler
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 7 - February 11, 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 December 31 at Webtrac.
- Fee: $250 per participant. All materials provided.
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Artists Retreat
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, January 24 or 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.
- January 24 session registration deadline: January 17.
- February 28 session registration deadline: February 21.
- Fee: $150 per participant. All materials provided.
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Basics of Abstract Art
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.
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. 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.
TICKETS & BOX OFFICES
Tickets can be purchased online one of two ways:
- Bloomington Box Office provides ticketing for resident arts organizations other than Artistry, plus guest performers.
- Artistry Box Office provides ticketing for Artistry performances.
Visit the tabs below for information on each box office. The event organizer is not obligated to provide any refunds in regards to tickets purchased for their events.
Bloomington Box Office Info
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
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
BCA 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.
You can also download, print and share the 2025-2026 Fall/Winter Performance Series Brochure.
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 (link coming soon)
For more information about Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, visit AngeliaCantanti.org or call 952-563-8572.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Singin' In The RainJuly 31 - August 31, 2025Schneider TheaterTickets
Once On This Island
- October 2 - 26, 2025
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
Plaid Tidings
- December 4 - 28, 2025
- Black Box Theater
- Tickets
Kiss Me Kate
- January 22 - February 15, 2026
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
For more information about Artistry, visit ArtistryMN.org or call 952-563-8575.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
A Light in the Darkness
- Friday, December 19, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 20, 2025, 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
Beer and Ballet
- Friday, October 10, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
The Nutcracker
- Saturday, December 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 7, 2025, 3 p.m.
- Friday, December 12, 2025, 10 a.m.
- Saturday, December 13, 2025, 3 p.m.
- Saturday, December 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 14, 2025, 3 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
For more information about Continental Ballet Company, visit ContinentalBallet.com or call 952-563-8562.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
British Band Classics
- Sunday, November 9, 2025, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
Sounds of the Season
- Sunday, December 21, 2025, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
For more information about Medalist Concert Band, visit MedalistBand.com or call 952-563-8583.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
When Worlds Collide: Songs of Stage and Screen
May 31, 20255 - 7 p.m.Schneider TheaterTickets
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.
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.
Join Concerto Dance for an evening of vibrant jazz and modern concert dance!
The program features an excerpt from Seasons Suite and the full premiere of Traditions, set to a jazz arrangement of the Fiddler on the Roof score. This dynamic new work explores themes of tradition, family, community, and change.
The second half of the program features the return of the audience favorite—The Swingin’ Nutcracker Suite. This playful, jazz-infused reimagining of a holiday gift exchange tradition kicks off the season in style. Featuring live music conducted by Paul Kile.
Join us after the show on Thursday Nov. 20 for Swingin’ It Forward, our annual swing dance and dessert party fundraiser.
- Toys for Tots Donations - Concerto is collecting new unwrapped gifts at each performance.
Schedule
- November 20, 2025, 7 p.m.
- November 21, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
- November 21, 2025, 7 p.m.
Tickets
- Adult: $31.61
- Senior (60+): $26.43
- Student: $26.43
- Youth (12 and under): $16.06
(listed prices include all fees)
Contact the Box Office for ticket inquiries and information.
- 952-563-8545
Contact us for general Center for the Arts inquiries and information.
- 952-563-8881
- Email Center for the Arts
- Contact us for facility rental inquiries and information.
- 952-563-8556
- Email Facility Rentals