See What Bradford Can Do

• President's Message
• BPCAC Board Members
• BCPAC Mission
• Other Programs and Services
• Contact Us
• Directions To BCPAC Office
• Season Sponsors

MISSION

Founded in October 1984, the Bradford Creative & Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to sponsor and foster the creative and performing arts in the community.

PRESENTING BACKGROUND

Since its founding, BCPAC has presented a wide variety of professional artists and ensembles, including Bradford native and world-renowned opera star Marilyn Horne, pop and Broadway star Donny Osmond, Carol Channing, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Dance Alloy, Buffalo Philharmonic with Marvin Hamlisch, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the River City Brass; also numerous Broadway musicals presented by national touring companies including Chicago, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Evita , Hairspray and Cats to name a few. In addition, BCPAC also presents children's theatre programs by excellent touring companies such as Theatreworks/USA and Das Puppenspiel. In recent years, 'BCPAC Country' concerts have featured such national acts as Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle, Glenn Campbell, The Oakridge Boys and Joe Nichols, among others.

One of BCPAC's goals is not only to present professional artists and performing troupes from outside the area, but also to showcase, when possible, talented artists and performers from or living in Bradford. In past seasons for example, we showcased Bradfordian Amy Bromeley !McCune, an accomplished pianist, the work of Bradford native, actor and playwright Robert Cucuzza, jazz singer Michael Egbert, world-renowned opera star Marilyn Horne, photographers John Kelley and Forres Stewart, and other local artists.

BCPAC is especially proud of its initiatives aimed at developing arts' appreciation in young audiences. Continuing a tradition began in 1991 with a children's series known then as 'bcpac jr.,' BCPAC offers high-quality live theater to children and families with at least one family show during its season. The Arts in Education Committee's goal is to encourage students to meet and interact with BCPAC-sponsored performers. For example, the committee has received grants to sponsor artists-in-residence in local schools such as mime Joel Gori, and the musical storytelling troupe Tales & Scales, In addition, the Arts in Education Committee coordinates an annual summer theatre workshop. For the past several years, the Missoula Children's Theatre Company has conducted the week-long workshopwith sixty local students, culminating with a live performance by all the participants.

BCPAC GOALS

To create opportunities for local residents and students to interact with professional artists through activities such as residencies, workshops and school assemblies coordinated by the Arts in Education Committee; to involve volunteers in as many aspects of production and administration of BCPAC programs as possible; to continue a special commitment to support, encourage and promote interest in the arts among area young people in the belief that it will foster their lifelong support of and involvement in theater arts; and to offer events that appeal to smaller, more sophisticated audiences as well as popular offerings that appeal to broader audiences.

OTHER PROGRAM AND SERVICES

The Jackie Award Recognition of support of the arts in the community is important, and BCPAC does its part to honor those individuals and organizations that strongly support the arts with the annual Marilyn Horne Award for the Creative & Performing Arts - the Jackie Award (formerly the Bravo! Award).

The Fine Arts Show Periodically, as part of Bradford Summerfest, BCPAC coordinates an art exhibit by local artist and photographers.

Bus tours BCPAC also sponsors chartered bus tours to such places as Toronto, Buffalo and Chautauqua Institution for theatre and concerts.

SERVING THE GREATER BRADFORD REGION

BCPAC's success can be measured by both growing patron support and audience attendance.

BCPAC's donors list numbers more that 1,000 supporters, and donor and corporate support totals more that $90,000 each year. Audience attendance annually surpasses more than 6,000. The annual patron drive is conducted by mail and phone. BCPAC honors its donors by listing their names in the BCPAC season programs and inviting them to special events whenever possible.

BCPAC has obtained grants from a number of foundations and arts organizations, including the The Blaisdell Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, PENN-PAT Endowment and the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation.

Donor, corporate and grant support helps keep the ticket prices reasonable as the Bradford area/McKean County has significantly above-average percent of both elderly and low-income residents. Rural McKean County has a population fewer than 50,000. While the audience is primarily from the City of Bradford and !McKean County, BCPAC programs also draw from Elk, Cameron, Potter and Warren counties in Pennsylvania and Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in New York state.

One of those donors that make this site possible is Moses and Rooth Attorneys at Law,115 Granada Ct., Orlando, FL (407) 377-0150, criminal defense lawyers serving Orlando and Orange County Fl.