Germantown Performing Arts Center

Mission:

GPAC serves the community by presenting the highest quality artistic endeavors to engage, enrich, and transform.

History:

As early as the 1980s, citizens of Germantown dreamed of having a performing arts center. Realizing the need for a multi-purpose community facility that could accommodate recreational and cultural needs, the City's Board of Mayor and Aldermen began construction on a civic complex that would enhance the lifestyle of the community residents. The Germantown Community Centre celebrated their opening in early 1990. Two years later, funds were raised and approval secured to make the performance hall a reality. In November 1994 the Germantown Performing Arts Centre opened its doors with a Gala featuring Ray Charles and a professional staff of five persons. The acoustically perfect, 900 seat venue featured a sprung pine stage, an intimate black box recording studio, an elegant green room, eight spacious dressing rooms and an opulent, grand lobby for entertaining and assembling. GPAC quickly established a reputation for bringing the most celebrated, world-class talent to the Mid-south each season. In October of 2000 conductor Michael Stern and GPAC launched the remarkable first season of the IRIS Chamber Orchestra featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Today GPAC offers over 42 annual productions, hosts over 75 community events and offers educational and outreach programs for young and old alike. As GPAC celebrates its fourteenth season of bringing the most exceptional talent to the Mid-south, we invite you to be a part of the magic that is GPAC.