The ArtsAltoona Center has seen so much growth over the past few years and we have been able to host many different events in that time. The Blank Canvas has been home to our After School Arts Program, Summer Art Camps, Empowering Arts Program, Kids Craft Nights, movie nights, concerts, and other events. The Sanctuary has hosted concerts in a range of musical styles, dance performances, film screenings, speaker series, comedy, and other performances. We have more recently held concerts and events in the Grotto. Outside, we have hosted seasonal Art Markets, Open Mic nights, and community events.
In addition, our spaces are available to rent for individuals and groups for their own private events, fundraisers, rehearsals, meetings, classes, performances, and more. We are also proud to be a “home” for other non-profit groups.
If you are looking for a space to rent for your event, contact us!
Our History
In January of 2020, the ArtsAltoona Center as we know it today was gifted to the organization from the congregation of Simpson-Temple United Parish. Around that time, ArtsAltoona was looking for a new place to call home. Through a twist of fate and discussions with the congregational council of the church, we were able to take on ownership of the campus, consisting of a church, an Education building, a parking lot, and a large grass lawn. The congregation would still be able to worship in the church on Sundays, and ArtsAltoona began to make plans to upgrade the facilities and transform them into a thriving Arts Center.
Our visions for the space began to come to life in early 2020. Throughout the year (and amidst a global pandemic) work on the buildings took place including painting the basements of both buildings, updating the plumbing and sewer systems, electrical work, replacing furniture, updating signage, a lot of cleanup, and various other small projects. Two large scale murals have been painted on the exterior. Building projects are ongoing, and we are constantly working on ways to make the space as versatile as possible.
About the Center
The ArtsAltoona Center consists of two buildings, an Education Center and a Performance Center. The Education Center houses a multi-use basement room, the Blank Canvas, which is used for our kids art classes, paint parties, movie screenings, meetings, events, parties, performances, and more! It is also home to a fully equipped licensed commercial kitchen. Located on the first floor are our ArtsAltoona staff offices, a large conference room (the Ward Room) and a smaller meeting room (the Library). The second floor is currently home to the Altoona Area School District’s Adult Education Department. Several different local groups rent out space in the building for ongoing meetings and rehearsals.
In the Performance Center is our largest venue, the Sanctuary, a 450-seat space. We host performances and events and also rent the space out to other performers to hold their own events. In the basement of the Performance Center is the Grotto, a more intimate venue to be used for smaller performances and events. Outside on the lawn, the Mural Green is used for outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events.