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About Us

About Livermore Valley Arts

Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, known as Livermore Valley Arts, is an independent, 501(c)3, non-profit organization that operates two spaces: the Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center. The Mission of Livermore Valley Arts is to offer a broad range of arts opportunities and experiences to engage, enrich, and inspire our diverse community. LVA's vision: The catalyst of a dynamic and vibrant arts region.

Bankhead Theater

Brilliance at the Bankhead Starring Matthew Morrison
Bohemian Queen at the Bankhead photo by Marie Gregorio-Oviedo
Debbie Gibson performing on the Bankhead Stage July 13, 2023. Photo by Andrew Kracht
Debbie Gibson performing on the Bankhead Stage July 13, 2023. Photo by Andrew Kracht

Since it opened in 2007, the Bankhead Theater has welcomed a diverse range of artists and audiences, bringing them together to share the rich experience of live music and performance. The Bankhead Presents series includes more than 40 exceptional performances throughout the year. Music of all genres is presented, from authentic western swing and the Great American Songbook to classic rock, smooth jazz and world music, as well as dance, acrobatics, theater, and comedy. Together with performances by the Resident Companies, local community groups, and touring shows, events at the Bankhead engage, entertain, and inspire audiences of all ages.

Core Values

Passion for the Arts – LVA seeks to employ a team of dedicated arts professionals to
fulfill our mission, vision, and values and share our passion for the Arts with our patrons and the community.
Excellence – LVA strives to present excellence in all genres and forms of arts and
through all aspects of our operations.
Collaboration – LVA endeavors to maximize the cultural arts offerings to the community through collaboration with local, regional, and national organizations, non-profits, businesses, government, schools and colleges.
Welcoming/Accessible – LVA aims to create a sense of belonging and accessibility
where the entire community, whether a patron, an artist, a performer, a member of the
staff, or a volunteer, feels welcome and supported. Shared Arts experiences help
people feel more connected and compassionate.
Creativity – LVA works to inspire creativity in our work, on stage, and through our exhibits. Exposure to the Arts can inspire people to think differently and, therefore, creatively.
Breadth/Depth – LVA aspires to provide patrons with both a depth and breadth of
experience in the Arts.
Integrity – LVA commits to integrity and transparency in all aspects of our organization.
 
At Livermore Valley Arts, our commitment to the core values of Passion for the Arts, Excellence, Collaboration, Welcoming and Accessible, Creativity, Breadth and Depth, and Integrity fuels our dedication to transforming lives through exposure to the performing arts.
 
We firmly believe that experiencing the performing arts has the potential to be transformative. Witnessing, hearing, and participating in performances can be a source of exhilaration, particularly for children in their formative years. It sparks their imagination and fosters creativity, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. Livermore Valley Arts is unwavering in its dedication to ensuring the arts are not only transformative but also affordable and accessible to all.
 
Our season is carefully curated to include family-friendly shows, and for Bankhead Presents events, we offer student and military tickets at an affordable $25. This commitment aligns with our core values of Welcoming and Accessible, ensuring that individuals from all walks of life can partake in the cultural richness the arts provide. Moreover, we extend our reach into local schools and other groups through educational outreach, providing children with special opportunities to connect with artists and the arts directly.
 
The Bankhead Theater serves as a nurturing ground for growth on both sides of the footlights. Its intimate setting benefits artists at all levels. Renowned groups such as the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer have lauded the Bankhead for its perfect acoustics. For artists seeking personal transformation, the Bankhead has become a pivotal stop on their tours, symbolizing Excellence and Creativity in performance spaces.
 
Whether bathed in the dim glow of the theater, awaiting an entrance cue backstage, or enjoying an outdoor show on the Shea Homes stage, the Bankhead Theater serves as a unique nexus where artists and audiences converge to share in the profound and transformative power of live performances. It exemplifies our commitment to the core values that define Livermore Valley Arts, as we continue to foster a vibrant, accessible, and inspiring cultural community.

Bothwell Arts Center

The Bothwell Arts Center serves as an incubator for the Tri-Valley’s vibrant arts community providing a nurturing environment for artists, performers, and cultural arts organizations to create and grow. In 2006, the Bothwell Arts Center opened offering workspaces that foster interaction and a rich exchange of creative ideas. Each October, Livermore Valley Arts’ Artwalk blankets downtown Livermore with exhibits by artists ranging from long-time professionals to emerging artisans in every medium.

 

For artists, regardless of their level, access to affordable space, and the support and freedom to explore and expand their creativity is essential. The Bothwell provides “a place where art happens.” Rental studios, as well as space for classes, workshops, rehearsals, displays, and events provide working room for teachers to share their skills in areas from perspective drawing and watercolor painting, to music lessons and improv. The large room at the Bothwell allows performing arts groups space for rehearsals and performances. Space to nurture the arts benefits the community as well, providing a taste of different art forms and a close involvement with their creation.

 

On any given day, the Bothwell Arts Center is filled with artists coming together to further their art, give free rein to their vision, and support one another, providing a community for growing the arts in Livermore.​

Summer Art at the Bothwell
Spring Break Art at the Bothwell
Broken Seeds Still Grow By Nava Dance Theatre and Rupy C. Tut

Diversity
Equity
Inclusion

The mission of Livermore Valley Arts is “to offer a broad range of arts opportunities and experiences to engage, enrich, and inspire our diverse community.” We agree that a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees, volunteers, and patrons, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and providing equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all areas.

Livermore Valley Arts strives to:

See diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of our staff and the communities we serve.

Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, staff, committee, and advisory bodies.

Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually update and report organization progress.

Support board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact our organization’s work, and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with our mission.

Help to challenge assumptions about what it takes to be a strong leader at our organization, and who is well-positioned to provide leadership.

Lead with respect and tolerance. We expect all employees to embrace this notion and to express it in workplace interactions and through everyday practices.

Livermore Valley Arts will support the following action items:

Pursue cultural competency by creating substantive learning opportunities and formal, transparent policies.

Improve our cultural leadership pipeline by creating programs and policies that foster leadership reflecting the diversity of our region.

Expand offerings for underrepresented constituents in partnership with organizations committed to diversity and inclusion efforts.

Develop and present sessions on diversity, inclusion, and equity for staff and volunteers.

Develop a system for being more intentional and conscious of bias during the hiring, promoting, or evaluating process.

Tax ID: 68-0419182

It's Membership March
New Members can join for as little as
$125 for the whole year!

Join by Mail

Download and Complete the form and then mail to us at:
Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street
Livermore, CA 94550

Our Team

Directory

Executive Director
Chris Carter
[email protected]

Director of Finance and Administration
Reanna Bradford
[email protected]

Director of Marketing
Ruth Egherman
[email protected]

Director of Operations
Eric Johnson
[email protected]

Production Manager
Gary Brunclik
[email protected]

Assistant Production Manager
Rachel Anderson
[email protected]

Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Carol Edwards
[email protected]

Facility Manager and IT Coordinator
Julio Gomez
[email protected]

Box Office Manager
Debra Olson
[email protected]

Visual Arts & Education Manager
Anne Giancola
[email protected]

Development Manager
Brittany Mulgrew
[email protected]

Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Bernice LaRosa
[email protected]

Programs Coordinator
Treg Van Dyke
[email protected]

Marketing Manager
Andrew Kracht
[email protected]

Social Media Manager
Allie Lopiano-Hastey
[email protected]

Food and Beverage Manager
Ann Rice
[email protected]

Development Assistant
Tracy Sahn
[email protected]

Visitor Center Supervisor
Susan Miller
[email protected]

RESIDENT COMPANIES

Get to Know Our Resident Companies

Home to ten Resident Companies with over 270 combined years of artistic experience, the Bankhead Theater’s state-of-the-art facilities enable these organizations to grow artistically and institutionally, develop audiences and collaborate on key projects while maintaining their respective missions and identities.

Cantabella Children’s Chorus

Cantabella Children’s Chorus is a non-profit organization located in the Livermore Tri-Valley. CCC strives to foster and promote the appreciation of choral music in the community through performances at various local corporate and civic functions and churches but above all to have fun.

Del Valle Fine Arts

Del Valle Fine Arts has been presenting outstanding classical music concerts in Livermore for over 35 years. This highly-regarded series offers dazzling performances by acclaimed professional chamber music groups and soloists from throughout North America and beyond. A particular objective of DVFA is to introduce young persons to the appreciation of fine music. To that end, children are admitted free to its concerts, and full-time students above high school can procure tickets at a special reduced price.

Livermore-Amador Symphony

Livermore-Amador Symphony – The symphony offers four concerts a year, as well as a Pops fundraiser. Symphony Guild – If you enjoy LAS concerts, join like-minded people of the Symphony Guild and support this community orchestra! Guild members encourage interest in the symphony and sponsor fund-raising activities. The Livermore-Amador Symphony has received funding from: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, City of Livermore Commission for the Arts, City of Livermore Tourism and Special Event Fund, Livermore Cultural Arts Council, Clorox Company Technical Center-Pleasanton, Target and Livermore Rotary.

Livermore Valley Opera

Livermore Valley Opera combines the talents and expertise of professional music, stage and chorus directors, principal singers, musicians, and designers with the dedication and practical abilities of a volunteer board, adult chorus, stage crew, props master, stitchers, and set builders. Each fall and spring, LVO presents locally produced, fully staged operas with orchestra. Additionally, LVO presents special concerts, events and fundraisers in the winter and “Opera in the Vineyard” in the summer. LVO promotes local talent and attracts outstanding Bay Area singers, directors and conductors.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra

The Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) is a 40 piece symphony orchestra composed of professional musicians from throughout the Bay Area. It was founded over 20 years ago by its talented conductor and musical director, Lawrence Kohl. The orchestra combines the precision of a small ensemble with surprising dynamic range and power. PCO is notable for innovative and insightful interpretations of music of all eras.

Rae Dorough Speaker Series

The Rae Dorough Speaker Series features leading thinkers in science, literature and the arts who discuss topical issues of particular interest to the Livermore community in the intimacy of the Bankhead Theater.

Sycamore Strings Academy / Bothwell Arts Center

The Sycamore Strings Academy (formerly Suzuki Strings Academy) carries on a tradition from 1984 of quality music education in the Tri-Valley area. The Academy includes certified Suzuki instruction on string instruments, licensed Kindermusik classes and a popular guitar program. Students perform across the region in year-round concert series.

Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre

Formerly Pleasanton Playhouse, Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre presents a variety of audience-pleasing musical theater. As a non-profit, volunteer regional arts organization, we continue our mission to provide affordable quality theatre, training and cultural experiences, with a focus on children and family participation.

Valley Concert Chorale

The Valley Concert Chorale is a chorus of about 40 singers, many of whom live in the Tri-Valley area, including Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Danville. VCC’s director is John Bush and featured pianist is Daniel Glover. If you would like to sing with VCC, why not arrange for an audition? You can audition at any time, and then join the chorus at the beginning of the next quarter.

Valley Dance Theatre

Valley Dance Theatre is a non-profit organization committed to providing exceptional dance instruction and productions to the Tri-Valley Area. Their focus is in classical ballet and modern dance. Each year they present a full-length Nutcracker with a live orchestra, and a Spring show with varying themes.

accessibility at the bankhead

Accessibility

TICKETS
Wheelchair accessible seats cannot be purchased online. You must call our Ticket Office in advance at 925.373.6800 for seating and to ensure your needs are thoroughly met.

DROP OFF/PICK-UP
There is a drop-off/pick-up area located on Railroad Avenue, on the right side of the street, before you reach the stoplight to enter the parking garage.

PARKING
Handicapped-reserved spaces are located on the lower level of the Livermore Valley Center parking garage.

SEATING
An elevator is located on the West end of the main lobby.

LISTENING DEVICES
Assistive listening devices are available free of charge from the House Manager’s Office in the lobby. Please let us know when purchasing your ticket of your special needs.

RESTROOMS
Fully accessible restrooms are located in the main lobby and in the upper lobby.

Support the Arts

Inscribed Pavers

Dedicate one of the decorative paver blocks that frame and define the entry from the Livermore Valley Plaza to the Bankhead Theater. Each size allows you to personalize your dedication and/or message. Once you’ve placed your order we’ll contact you to help you choose the exact message for the paver you’d like to donate.

LOGO & BRICK ART
Permanently commemorate a company or brand, feature your family crest or create your own custom design while supporting the arts with an engraved logo or artistic brick. The image will be etched in black on a sand-colored paver (6×12 or 12×12) or light gray granite tile (24×24). They are visible to thousands of people each year attending a variety of events and performances on the Livermore Valley Plaza and in the Bankhead Theater.

24″ x 24″ – Madden Family Courtyard – $1,500
12″ x 12″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $1,000
Logo Art Brick – Livermore Valley Plaza $500
6″ x 12″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $375
6″ x 9″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $150


PERSONALIZED SEATS
Seat donations will be recognized by a commemorative medallion on your chosen chair in the Bankhead Theater as well as on the Donor Wall in the Lobby.

Grand Tier Seats $5,000
Central Tier Seats $2,500
Upper Tier Seats $1,000

Please note: donating a personalized seat does not guarantee the right to sit in that seat for a given performance.

Leave a Legacy

With a legacy gift to Livermore Valley Arts, you can be sure your charitable intentions will be realized while achieving the most favorable income tax benefits available. We are happy to meet with you to talk about your intentions and situation. However, we strongly recommend you consult with your estate planning professional or tax advisor to fulfill your goals for your financial portfolio and tax needs.

Making a legacy gift to the Center also qualifies you to join the Legacy Society, a group of philanthropic and pioneering members who share a strong bond with LVPAC and a desire to ensure a meaningful, lasting home for the arts in Livermore Valley.

If you have already included LVA in your plans (or if you intend to), please let us know. Contact Chris Carter, Executive Director, at [email protected] or call (925) 583-2311.

We accept a range of planned giving options:

In Your Will
The simplest way to leave a planned gift is to make a bequest including specific language in your will or living trust naming LVA as the recipient. The following is an example of suggested language to include in your will/trust:

“I give and bequeath to the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, a California non-profit corporation, located at 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550, the sum of $____, or ______% of my estate, to be used for the accomplishment of its general purpose (or for a specific purpose as indicated).”

Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is the easiest way to create dependable income for life and help the Center. Please note that LVA does not administer CGAs but can recommend an administrator.

Charitable Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust allows you to receive an estate or gift tax deduction and create a source of income for you or your loved ones while supporting the Center. Please note that LVA does not administer these trusts but can recommend an administrator.

Real Estate/Appreciated Assets
A variety of assets can be donated such as real estate, appreciated securities, and tangible personal property such as art or jewelry. Donating appreciated assets can help offset income and capital gains taxes. If you are contemplating gifting an investment property or a vacation home, a gift of real estate offers an excellent option for tax-wise giving. You can also include the Center as a beneficiary of real estate or appreciated assets in your will. Please be aware that as part of our gift acceptance policy, all gifts of real estate, appreciated assets and tangible personal property are examined on a case-by-case basis.

Retirement Plan Donations or Life Insurance Policies
You can name Livermore Valley Arts as the beneficiary of your IRA, 401k or 403b retirement plan or life insurance policy. This is a simple, effective way to support the arts while reducing or eliminating significant, often unanticipated tax penalties.