Frequently Asked Questions

What role does FPAC play now that the Center is built?

FPAC is responsible for raising money from the community to support the Performing Arts Center.

FPAC exists today to act as the community steward in the raising and responsible spending of private funds to ensure the ongoing operation and long-term success of the Center. Each year FPAC contributes 1/6 of the Center’s total contributed revenue ($250,000 in FY2007/08). The City of San Luis Obispo also provides 1/6 and Cal Poly University contributes the remaining 2/3. These funds support all aspects of the Center’s operations and ensure, among other things, that rental rates are affordable for local nonprofit organizations, that ticket prices are affordable for patrons, and that the Center remains in “as-new” condition as specified in the operating agreement. In addition to providing annual operating support, the Foundation is committed to building an endowment (currently valued at about $2.4 million) to secure the Center’s future for generations to come and to raising capital funds for facility improvements and the purchase of major pieces of equipment.

Do ticket sales alone support the Performing Arts Center?

No. Ninety-percent of each ticket purchased directly supports the presenting organization, not the Performing Arts Center.

Actually, tickets sales have minimal impact on the financial well-being of the Center. When you purchase a ticket to a performance at the PAC, about 90 percent of your money directly supports the organization presenting that performance (i.e., Cal Poly Arts, SLO Symphony, Festival Mozaic, etc.). About 10 percent does go to the Performing Arts Center in the form of ticketing fees. Presenting organizations, in turn, pay a rental fee to use the Center.

Do rental fees alone support the Center?

No. Rental fees cover about 5 percent of the PAC’s annual expenses.

No. Rental fees cover just a small percentage of the PAC’s annual expenses. In fact, all of the PAC’s earned revenue combined (rental fees, ticketing fees, tech charges, etc.) cover just 40 percent of its expenses. The remaining 60 percent is contributed by individuals and businesses in our community (through FPAC), the City of San Luis Obispo, and Cal Poly University. Furthermore, nonprofit presenters pay a deeply discounted rental fee to use the PAC, ensuring access for all.

How did the three-way partnership between the City, the University and the Foundation come to be?

FPAC was established in 1986 to represent community interests and to raise funds from the private sector for a performing arts center. That same year FPAC, the City of SLO, and Cal Poly University forged a one-of-a-kind partnership to accomplish what no single partner could have done alone. That partnership still thrives today, and through the Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission (CCPACC), oversees all aspects of the Center.

What is the Center Circle and what exactly does it support?

The Center Circle is FPAC’s annual giving program. Gifts to the Center Circle support the operations of the Performing Arts Center.

The Center Circle is FPAC’s annual giving program. Gifts made to the Center Circle by individuals, foundations and businesses support the annual operations of both the Performing Arts Center and the Foundation. Annual contributors of $1 - $499 are referred to as Friends of the Center Circle. Annual contributors of $500 and above become members of the Center Circle and receive an array of benefits and privileges based on their giving level. It is this community support that allows FPAC to make its annual contribution to the PAC as well as to fulfill its other responsibilities, including working closely with donors, representing the community’s interests to the Commission, raising money for the purchase of equipment and special projects, and building an endowment to secure the Center’s future for generations to come.

What giving opportunities are available?

Individuals, businesses and foundations can support FPAC through contributions to three funds:

Operations: These are gifts made to the Center Circle and support the operations of the Performing Arts Center.

As noted above, gifts made to the Center Circle are applied to operations and support the annual operations of both the Performing Arts Center and the Foundation.

Capital:Gifts made to the Capital Fund support capital improvements and the purchase of major equipment.

Gifts made to the Foundation’s Capital Fund can be directed toward a particular project or to the General Capital Fund to be used for projects and equipment approved by the Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission. Examples of capital projects paid for through contributions to FPAC’s Capital Fund include: lighting, sound and electrical for the Pavilion; new state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment; additional risers; and several acoustical improvement projects. The PAC staff is in the process of updating their list of equipment and capital improvement needs. When complete it will be shared with FPAC’s board and staff who in turn will share it with interested donors.

Endowment: Gifts made to the Endowment support operations in perpetuity.

Gifts to the Foundation’s endowment fund are given with the stipulation that the funds are invested to earn annual interest rather than to be spent immediately. A portion of the annual earnings (not to exceed five-percent) is used each year to support the operations of both the Performing Arts Center and the Foundation. The rest of the earnings are reallocated back into the fund’s principle to insure the endowment continues to grow and yield more interest for future support. The endowment is currently valued at about $2.4 million, and its continued growth is central to the Center’s long-term success and security. The majority of contributions to the endowment come in the form of bequests and other planned gifts. 

I thought you were going to install “clouds” to improve the acoustics in Harman Hall?

At a cost of about $5 million the “clouds” appear to be out of reach. However, we are working with our acousticians to explore other ways to improve musician hearing on stage.

It was our intention to have an acoustic canopy designed and installed in the hall to improve musician hearing on stage. However, after several years of research and studies the project continued to present insurmountable challenges. One of the major challenges was the cost, which escalated from about $700,000 in 2003 to nearly $5 million in 2007, not taking into account the revenue that would be lost during the six-month installation process. We remain committed to improving musician hearing on stage and are working closely with acousticians at Kirkegaard Associates to explore other options.

What makes up the Performing Arts Center?

The Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo includes the 1,274-seat Harman Hall, the 494-seat Spanos Theater, a multi-purpose venue called the Pavilion, and a 180-seat recital hall.

What goes on at the PAC?

The PAC hosts preeminent international and national performers as well as our own talented local performing arts groups. In total, it is home to more than 300 performances and events each year and more than 25 local nonprofit cultural and educational organizations from our region alone use the Center to present a wide variety of performances.

Is there a youth component to all of this?

Yes. Youth Outreach for the Performing Arts Center (YOPAC) makes it possible for more than 25,000 students a year to attend performances or perform on stage at the PAC.

Yes, Youth Outreach for the Performing Arts Center (YOPAC) makes it possible for school age children to attend matinee performances at the Performing Arts Center at a reduced rate or free and for local students, such as middle and high school bands and choirs, to perform on stage in the Center’s main hall. In 2007, over 20,000 students attended school performances and 6,000 children performed on stage in Harman Hall.