Creative Arts Center Timeline
1969-2009
1969: Dedication of the Creative Arts Center held April 25, 1969. Speakers included Governor Arch Moore, Jr., Roger Stevens, chair of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., actress Peggy Wood, and choreographer and dancer Agnes DeMille.
1969: Beginning of WVU Puppet Mobile, which continues to travel throughout the state and region performing puppet shows for children of all ages.
1969: Percussion Ensemble selected by U.S. Dept. of State for tour of South America. Also a large increase in the number of WVU ensembles performing off campus.
1972: Three-day residency by composer Aaron Copland includes several public concerts.
1972: Pittsburgh Symphony performs at the CAC.
1973: Enrollment in art and theatre surge, prompting a major building addition with new art studios, Studio Theatre for theatre performances, Opera Theatre for musical performances and additional classrooms and office space. New programs offered in ceramics and graphic design.
1976: First Summer Repertory Theatre. First Jazz festival. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Residency. Invitational Choral Festival for high school choirs.
1977: Music faculty and ensembles begin making educational films for use by public broadcasting stations, as well as phonograph recordings.
1978: Very Special Arts Festival brings the arts to children with disabilities.
1978-79: Residency of composer George Crumb includes public lectures, seminars and concerts. Don Wilcox initiates Invitational High School Honor Band event.
1979: Second Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra residency.
1979: Approximately 500 public performances are held at CAC each year and an increasing number of performances in Charleston.
1979: “Percussion Noel” has multiple showings on national PBS.
1980: Concert by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the CAC and performance of “The Nutcracker” by Pittsburgh Ballet.
1980: WVU Wind Symphony is one of five U.S. groups performing at first International Conference of World Band Conductors and Composers in Manchester, England.
1980: Harless Tour Program provides touring projects in performing arts for citizens of the state and region.
1981: CAC presents Showcase at Cultural Center in Charleston. Also, a new radio program, “WVU Music Hour,” airs on WV Public Radio.
1981: WVU Marching Band first introduced as “The Pride of West Virginia” at Peach Bowl.
1982: First Invitational Jazz Festival. Student chapter of MTNA presents noon concerts at Monongalia Arts Center.
1982: The academic programs of the Creative Arts Center—including the Division of Music, Division of Art, and Division of Theatre—are officially called the College of Creative Arts.
1984: Residency by noted conductor Samuel Adler includes public concerts.
1985: Percussion Ensemble tour of Japan. First Marching Band “Keynotes” Concert in Charleston.
Mid-1980s: University Arts Series brings major artists to perform at CAC. Community Music Program classes greatly expanded
1991: Lakeview Theater relocates to the CAC. Later known as West Virginia Public Theater.
1992: Dedication of World Music Center. Ellie Mannette moves his steel drum workshop to the CAC.
1993: Dedication of Sculpture and Ceramic Studio Addition to the building.
1995: First Concert Theatre renovation includes new seats, sound system and wheelchair access.
1995: First summer ceramics program in China at Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute.
1996: Opera Theatre renamed in honor of Edna Antoinette Falbo.
1996: First African summer course in West Africa.
1996: Art Galleries renamed Mesaros Galleries and dedicated in honor of Drs. Paul and Laura Mesaros.
1997: WVU Marching Band awarded Sudler Trophy by John Philip Sousa Foundation. Division of Music celebrates 100th anniversary.
1998: The Dance Program becomes part of the College of Creative Arts.
1998: Theatre establishes exchange program with E.T.A. Hoffmann Theater in Germany.
1999: Classroom Theatre renovated and renamed Vivian Davis Michael Theatre.
2001: Newly renovated Studio Theatre, renamed the Gladys G. Davis Theatre.
2002: Beginning of two-year, $11 million renovation of the Creative Art Center’s major performing spaces.
2003: Newly renovated Choral Recital Hall renamed Bloch Learning and Performance Hall.
2003: Newly renovated Concert Theatre reopens. Renamed Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.
2004: Newly renovated CAC Main Lobby dedicated as Douglas O. Blaney Lobby.
2006: WVU building complex opened at Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute in China. Music Alive! exchange program established with Brazil.
2006: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra begins a new partnership with the College of Creative Arts that includes three concerts at the CAC each year, as well as master classes and internships.
2008: College of Creative Arts plans $10 million Art Museum, to be located adjacent to the Creative Arts Center. Future outreach and community projects will enrich the quality of education and foster appreciation of the arts for future generations of students and local residents.