Parks and Recreation Links
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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.
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 nine 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.
Fees and Forms
- 2024 Performance, Arts and Council Space Rental Fees
- Performance, Arts and Council Space Rental Form
- 2024 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
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 8 weeks before the beginning of each session and remains open until 1 day before or when session is full.
Session Schedule
- Session 1: September 19 - October 24, 2023 (6 weeks)
- Session 2: November 7 - December 26, 2023 (8 weeks)
- Session 3: January 9 - February 27, 2024 (8 weeks)
- Session 4: March 5 - April 30, 2024 (9 weeks)
- Session 5: May 7 - June 25, 2024 (9 weeks)
- Session 6: July 09 - August 13, 2024 (6 weeks)
The City of Bloomington now welcomes applications for the 2024 “Blooming Arts Partnerships” grant program. Download, review, and complete the following documents:
- 2024 BAP – Request for Proposals
- 2024 BAP - Arts Support Board of Directors List
- 2024 BAP - Arts Support DEI Statistics
- 2024 BAP - Arts Support Funders List
- 2024 BAP - Arts Support ORG Budget Worksheet Form
- 2024 BAP – Optional Narrative Template
Applications are due on Fri, April 12, 2024 at 10:00pm.
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. 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: 12:30 - 4:30 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: 1 - 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
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 2024 Spring/Summer Performance Series Brochure.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Rita Docter Scholarship Fundraiser Concert and Silent Auction: Favorite Broadway, Movie & Pop Songs
- Sunday, February 25, 2024
- 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.
ARTISTRY
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeOctober 5 - 29, 2023Schneider TheaterTickets
Some Enchanted EveningDecember 20 - 31, 2023Schneider TheaterTickets
Crazy For YouJanuary 25 - February 11, 2024Schneider TheaterTickets
- The Sound of Music
- April 18 - May 12, 2024
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
- Newsies
- July 18 - August 11, 2024
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
- Rent
- October 3 - 27, 2024
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
For more information about Artistry, visit ArtistryMN.org or call 952-563-8575.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
A Season of JoyFriday, December 15, 2023, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, December 16, 2023, 4 p.m.Tickets
- Together We Are...
- Friday, May 17, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 18, 2024, 4 p.m.
- Tickets
For more information about the Bloomington Chorale, visit BloomingtonChorale.org or call 952-563-8582.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Favorites: Yours, Mine and OursNovember 19, 20233 p.m. (with post-performance reception)Schneider TheaterTickets
For more information about the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, visit BloomingtonSymphony.org or call 952-563-8573.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Beer and Ballet FundraiserFriday, October 27, 20237 p.m.Black Box TheaterTickets
The Nutcracker BalletSaturday, December 2, 2023, 7:30 p.m. (35th Anniversary Celebration)Sunday, December 3, 2023, 3 p.m.Friday, December 8, 2023, 10 a.m.Saturday, December 9, 2023, 7:30 p.m.Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3 p.m.Schneider TheaterTickets
- Coppelia
- Saturday, March 16, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 17, 2024, 3 p.m.
- Saturday, March 23, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 24, 2024, 3 p.m.
- Tickets
For more information about Continental Ballet Company, visit ContinentalBallet.com or call 952-563-8562.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Americans WeSunday, November 12, 2022, 4 p.m.Schneider TheaterTickets
Sounds of the SeasonSunday, December 17, 2023, 4 p.m.Schneider TheaterTickets
- Words Into Music
- Sunday, March 3, 2024, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
- Wild Symphony
- Sunday, May 19, 2024, 4 p.m.
- Schneider Theater
- Tickets
For more information about Medalist Concert Band, visit MedalistBand.com or call 952-563-8583.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Elements of Nature!
- June 1, 2024, 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.
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.
Story Arts of Minnesota presents StoryFest 2024 May 4, 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
This annual festival brings storytelling opportunities to a wide spectrum of enthusiasts, ranging from adults to children and from novices to professionals.
Enjoy a full day of workshops, a variety of stories to listen to, and storytelling opportunities.
- First workshop of the day--Jim Stowell, "From the Page to the Stage," 9:30am-11:00am--requires registration ($35).
- Patrons may purchase registration by clicking "Register Now" below.
- Walk-up registration will be available the morning of Saturday, May 4, with a cash option.
All other StoryFest events, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., are free and do not require registration. All are welcome to attend!
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.
Utilizing their signature blend of theatrical and classical jazz dance styles, Concerto Dance presents The Adventures of Peer Gynt.
This new jazz dance work is set to Duke Ellington’s arrangement of Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite and takes place in the Black Box Theater at Bloomington Center for the Arts.
The work follows the story of Peer's wild adventures in a search for meaning and significance, only to return home in realization that his life was wasted searching for something he already had...the love he longed for.
Schedule
- Friday, May 17, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 18, 2024, 2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 18, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Buy Tickets
Adults $30 | Seniors 60+ $25 | Students $25
The Rockin' Seniors of Alive & Kickin are thrilled to be back in Bloomington presenting “The 70’s - Can You Dig It?”
Come join the party and enjoy this action-packed decades show, featuring the pivotal and influential music of the 1970’s!
A&K will host the Rockin' After-Party immediately following the show on Fri, June 7.
Schedule:
- Thursday, June 6, 4 p.m.
- Friday, June 7, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, June 9, 2 p.m.
June 6, 8 and 9: General Admission $40 | Seniors (60+) $35 | Students $35
June 7 (incl. after-party): $50