• 1974 - May 21: Arvada voters approved a bond issue of $3.6 million for the Arvada Center.

In August 1974, the Arvada City Council appointed a nine-member Advisory Board “for the purpose of advising the City Council and City Manager on matters concerning the Arvada Center, and to establish general policy for management and operation of the Center.” ... Board members were: Ilene Larson, Chairman, History Chair; Harold Rust, Vice Chairman, Business Chair; Dorothy Holmes, Secretary, At-Large; Helen McKenney, Music Chair; Kenneth Glann; Ed Osborn, Theater Chair; Ed Osborn, Theater Chair; Donald Feland, City Council; Al Meiklejohn, Jeffco Schools; Dr Gail Gilbert, North Jeffco Parks and Rec District.

Board Member Bob Dyer

• 1975- March 8: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Arvada Center were held on March 8, 1975.
• 1975 - September 1: Roy (Don) Carter was appointed the Arvada Center's first director and assumed his duties on September 1, 1975
• 1976 - May 1: The Center's cornerstone was laid May 1, 1976.
• 1976 - July 4: The Arvada Center opened its doors on July 4, 1976, with fireworks, art, and a brand-new dream for the Colorado arts scene. Dedication ceremonies, emceed by Bob Shriver, were held July 4, 1976.
• 1976 - August 11: City Council changed the name of the facility to the "Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities".
• 1976 - October 1: The first presentation in the Center's theatre, Anything Goes, opened October 1, 1976.
• 1978: The Arvada Center's resident theater company presented its first children's theater season with The Further Adventures of Maide Marion.
• 1978: Artist Richard Miles inflated an enormous installation across the building’s exterior. It was impossible to miss!
• 1978: The company was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for excellence and received a grant for its playwrights. It also received the NEA's first literary grant given to a children's theater company. 

• 1982 - April 1: First Pottery Show and sale is held. 
• 1983 - July: Maya Angelou and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance perform at the Arvada Center.
• 1985: The Arts Day (school outreach) program begins.
• 1985 - July 1: The Center receives the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
• 1986 - July 4: The Arvada Center turns 10!
• 1989: The establishment of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District in 1987, provided significant support to the finances of the Arvada Center. The first distribution of Tier 11 funds in the amount of $556,227 was received in 1989.

• 1990: The Front Range Youth Symphony program begins.
• 1991: The City of Arvada approved a $32 million capital improvement plan for expanding both city hall and the Arvada Center.
• 1992 - January: The Arvada Center becomes an Equity playhouse.
• 1992 - June: The first performance in the Arvada Center's outdoor amphitheatre occured - it was a production of Peter Pan.
• 1992 - September: The Arvada Center reopened following the remodel - nearly doubling in size.The expansion included Vito Acconci’s “Dirt Wall,” a site-specific commission by the international art icon.
• 1994: The Center presents its first Audio-Described theatre performance.
• 1998: The outdoors acccessible playground opens on the Arvada Center grounds.
• 1999: The Center saw over 275,000 visitors.

• 2000: Over 300 Gallery and Museum Tours conducted.
• 2001: The Center presented its 25th anniversary season.
• 2002-2004: Another expansion of the Arvada Center is considered and approved
• 2006: Additional expansion of the building is completed, adding a performing arts shop, dressing room space, patios, and the Black Box Theatre
• 2009: Based on the same-titled book, Colorado Abstract (2009) united the state’s leading abstractionists in one groundbreaking show.

• 2013: Current President & CEO Philip Sneed is hired. His title at the time was Executive Director. 
• 2016 - July 1: On July 1, 2016, the Arvada Center became an independent nonprofit, thanks to a thoughtful and collaborative separation with the City.

Founding board members Bob Dyer, Nancy Gary, Ken Fellman, Meyer Saltzman, Terry Stevinson, and Stephanie Tuthill worked closely with City Council to establish a 20-year cooperative agreement, allowing the Center to remain on City-owned land while operating independently. Since then, the Board of Directors has grown to more than 20 dedicated members who have been instrumental in the Center’s growth, sustainability, and success.  

• 2015: During FIRED: Iron (2015), the Sculpture Field became a molten playground, with artists melting metal in blazing furnaces and pouring liquid iron under the night sky.
• 2016: The Black Box Repertory Company is formed, under the leadership of Artistic Director of Plays Lynne Collins.
• 2016 - July 4: The Arvada Center turns 40, celebrating with a performance featuring past theatre stars and the Colorado Symphony.

• 2022: The Center presents its first Arts For All Gala.

The Arvada Center didn’t just raise awareness — they raised the bar and funds with their annual Gala! It all kicked off in 2022 with Kinky Boots—and let’s just say, it was “straight” on the money. In 2023, they knocked it out of the park with the crowd-favorite Damn Yankees. Then 2024 took us behind the curtain (and had us in stitches) with the hilarious Noises Off, giving us a glimpse both in front of and behind the stage. And 2025? It was not a sleeper hit—it was the best slumber party Arvada has ever seen! Each year, this night supports arts education and accessibility, helping dreams come true for all. 

Teresa YoKell, Chief Advancement Officer

• 2023: Contributed revenue reaches $1 million for the first time.
• 2024: The Arvada Chamber of Commerce names the Center Nonprofit of the Year.

• 2025 - June: The Arvada Powwow brought rhythm, color, and community to the Arvada Center, with dancers, drummers, and artists celebrating Native culture right in our Sculpture Field.
• 2025 - January: The 5th iteration of Art of the State received 2,503 submissions from 911 artists.
• 2025-2026: The Arvada Center present its 50th theatre season, including the record-breaking production Disney's Frozen.
• 2026 - July 4: The Arvada Center turns 50!