The Community Center for the Performing Arts

ORIGIN OF THE CCPA

In 1975 it was learned that the Hall would soon be sold and possibly demolished. A group of concerned users, performers, neighbors and historical preservation enthusiasts organized to keep the Hall available to the community. In July they incorporated as the Committee to Secure a Westside Community Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit corporation. Especially important to the group was making the facility, "community-owned and democratically operated."

On December 2, 1975, the leaseholder gave notice that he intended to exercise his option to sell the Hall. He informed 130 people who attended a basement meeting that he would give the community first option to buy the Hall at $75,000 but would need at $10,000 down payment within 13 days. To raise the money supporters organized a WOWATHON: five days and nights of continuous entertainment! The WOWATHON began on Dec. 10 and, with support from the Oregon Country Fair, KLCC, KZEL and many others, the money was raised! The Hoedad’s Treeplanting Cooperative loaned the CCPA initial operating capital.

Throughout its early years the CCPA faced one crisis after another. Time and again, community support would save the W.O.W. Hall. Volunteerism, a few grants, increasing attendance and severe austerity enabled the CCPA to pay off the Hall’s mortgage in 1983, completing the dream of community ownership and control of the W.O.W. Hall.

In 1996 the W.O.W. Hall was officially designated a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places. The building is currently one of only two public structures in Eugene not associated with the University of Oregon that is virtually intact on the interior as well as the exterior. "No building has stronger connections to Eugene’s yeasty culture," notes the Register-Guard.

To meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a new wheelchair accessible entry was officially opened in 1997 by participants of the International Teacher Training for DanceAbility (a collaboration between the CCPA and Alito Alessi’s Joint Forces Dance Co.).

TODAY

The CCPA is dedicated to providing a safe and friendly meeting place for the community, a place for appreciation of the arts for all ages and income levels, and a training ground for new generations. Local, regional, national and international acts frequently grace the stage, and the Hall prides itself on the diversity. Shows range from concerts of folk, rock, reggae, jazz, blues, pop, punk, electronic, hip-hop and world beat music to dance, theater, film and circus performances. Many artists have released works recorded at the W.O.W. Hall.

The Hall is also used for classes, workshops, lectures, meetings, rehearsals and recording sessions. The Lobby Art Gallery features the work of a different regional artist each month. Alcohol is confined to the downstairs, which features a sound and video relay from the Main Hall.

The CCPA puts on its own productions as well as renting the Hall to outside promoters. Other nonprofit groups receive reduced rates for meetings and benefit performances. Our poster distribution service is available to the community, with reduced rates for non-profits. Performances are booked with a goal of covering expenses and generating income for the artists and the Hall. CCPA shows are co-productions with the artists for a standard split (artist 70%, Hall 30%) after expenses. In this way, the Hall avoids risky ventures.

The CCPA runs on volunteer energy and volunteer training is provided monthly. W.O.W. Hall volunteers develop job skills while demonstrating dependability, punctuality and the ability to work as part of a team. Many volunteers have advanced to staff positions with the CCPA, Hult Center and other local employers. The CCPA currently has over 450 active volunteers, more than half of them teenagers.

A volunteer Board of Directors meets monthly and oversees the overall operation of the Hall. Day-to-day operations are cooperatively managed by an extremely dedicated staff, whose workload far exceeds their compensation. The CCPA is committed to providing arts for all ages. With the exception of rentals and seated shows, admission for ages 6 through 11 is half-price when accompanied by parent or adult guardian and ages five and under get in free. In a community often criticized for it’s lack of recreational opportunities for youths, the CCPA not only provides a space for kids and teenagers to enjoy live concerts, it actively involves youths in planning, promoting, performing at and staffing shows.

In 1999, the CCPA was the recipient of the Eugene Arts & Letters’ Fentress Award, “for its 24-year contribution to the local performing arts scene.”

New curtains were installed in the Main Hall during the summer of 2001, dramatically improving the Hall’s appearance and acoustics. The Hall’s entranceway, lobby and women’s restroom floors were renovated during the summer of 2002. Also in ‘02, the CCPA was able to purchase a theater-quality video projector and screen. The building’s electrical systems were upgraded in 2003. Last year, the CCPA purchased new folding chairs and the back loading dock and auxiliary wheelchair ramp was completely rebuilt.