The Arts Center history

Many different typefaces have been used in ArtCenter’s promotional materials through the years, but until 1965, when the College began a long institutional relationship with Helvetica, no one typeface could be said to have been a part of ArtCenter’s graphic identity.

Led by Winthrop Rockefeller, who would become the governor of Arkansas in 1967, the campaign emphasized that the institution would serve all of Arkansas – and encouraged Arkansas residents to get involved.

The Fine Arts Center of Greenville, SC was established in August of 1974 as the first specialized arts school in the state of South Carolina and was housed in the former Hattie Duckett Elementary School, which was renovated to fit the physical needs of the program.

Image above: Laura Gilpin, Photograph, FAC from Monument Park (detail). © 1979 Amon Carter Museum of American Art

In a 1982 renovation and expansion, the Museum of Fine Arts’ art deco façade was preserved as a feature of the building’s interior galleries.

Remarkably, the 1986 Hinrichs logotype was the first.

In the spring of 1997, Marie Damrell Gallo was asked by then Modesto Mayor Dick Lang to assemble a research team to investigate the feasibility of building a downtown performing arts center.

May 1998 - The Modesto Bee conducts a survey which shows widespread support for an arts center.

August 30, 1999 - The IRS determines that the CVCA is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

May 9, 2000 - The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors agrees to form a Joint Powers Authority.

April 2001 - The CVCA and the County start a search for design and theater architects.

January 7, 2002 - The CVCA rejects the design of the front facade and requests added design work for the facade and plaza.

May 7, 2003 - The CVCA opens contractor's bids, and the lowest bid is $4 million over the construction budget.

March 23, 2004 - Induction of the Board of Trustees at the home of Bob and Marie Gallo.

October 2005 - Brian McCurdy hired as Executive Director.

In 2006 a graphic identity designed by Takaaki Matsumoto (BFA 80) was introduced, and use of Univers was encouraged in promotional materials.

January 2007 - Dave Pier named the Center’s third Executive Director.

August 22, 2008 – The Gallo Center for the Arts opens its second season with performances by Bernadette Peters in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and Jakob Dylan in the Foster Family Theater followed by post performance opening gala.

January 2009 – Doug Hosner is hired as Director of Marketing.

January 2010 – Jim Johnson signs on as volunteer Arts Education Coordinator

June 30, 2011 – GCA finishes the year $600k better than budget – in the black for the second year in a row.

June, 2013 - Creation Station Art & Music camps are launched with great success.

June 9, 2014 - Center sustained extensive water damage caused by a malfunctioning ice maker on the second floor.

June 19, 2015 - The Gallo Center hosted its third successful fund raising gala – Wine & Roses – was held in the home of Ann & Steve Endsley. $336k (net) was raised.

April 2016 – Cortney Hurst was named Arts Education Coordinator.

May 2017 - $5 million of bond debt was paid off with investment earning and excess cash flow from operations.

June, 2018 – Gallo Center Board of Directors approved $500,000 in capital purchases.

July 2019 – GCA Board of Directors votes to take stock market earnings and retire an additional $1MM of debt, leaving a balance of approximately $700k.