Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts

Mission

The mission of the Wickenburg Foundation for the Performing Arts is to provide financial support, operational governance and advocacy for the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts. The Wickenburg Foundation for the Performing Arts operates under the DBA name of Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts.

The mission of the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts is to be a leader in presenting quality, live performing arts to Wickenburg and the surrounding communities and to augment the arts education of area K-12 students. We present artistically and culturally diverse music, dance and theatre to broaden and deepen the performance experiences of our patrons. We are committed to providing unique student performances, artist/student workshops and producing a summer arts camp for children to educate and inspire the next generation.

Vision

The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts will be a fully functioning arts center that encourages and nurtures artists to share their talent with our audiences; educates our rural community in all aspects of the performing arts; and ensures and celebrates the cultural vitality of our diverse region while preserving it for future generations.

History:

Enhancing Cultural Richness:

The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art 600 seat theatre dedicated to enhancing the cultural richness of Wickenburg and all surrounding communities by presenting a variety of the finest performers.

Throughout our history, we have presented a variety of performances ranging from internationally acclaimed pianist Olga Kern to cowboy poet Baxter Black to the hilarious musical production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. We strive to present the highest quality art to our ever-expanding patron base.

Prior to the Webb Center’s inception, Wickenburg was underserved in terms of opportunities to attend a full range of culturally and artistically diverse performing arts events or opportunities to participate in performing arts residency activities for schools and community members. The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts was established to fill this cultural void, developing and presenting performances of artistic and cultural diversity as well as offering artists-in-residence events.

The Webb Center officially opened in December of 2000. It was constructed through a joint effort between the Wickenburg Unified School District and local arts supporters through the Wickenburg Foundation for the Performing Arts. In recognition of a generous contribution made by the Del E. Webb Foundation, the theatre was honored to assume the name Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts. The collaboration between the school district and the community raised money to complete and furnish the theatre; continuous funds raised through grants and donations have allowed the Webb Center to remain on the cutting edge with sound/lighting technology and to expand our performance capabilities.

The Webb Center’s inaugural season began in the fall of 2001. The bar was set high for such a new institution, with over 15,000 people attending over 55 separate performances. From the beginning, the Webb Center presented a thrilling combination of public performances, educational artist interactions for students and a wide array of local community programs.