If you’ve attended a show at Cal Poly at either the Performing Arts Center or the Spanos Theatre, chances are it was thanks to Cal Poly Arts, an organization that mounts public performances for the community’s enjoyment, but it does a lot more than book performances.
In 2025, its programming reached 30,000 people. In local schools, the organization reached 1,946 K-12 kids and drove 437 miles to take artists into Central Coast schools.
Cal Poly Arts mounted 50 free community events and 41 ticketed performances. The organization paid 6,107 stagehand hours to prepare and support its shows and employed 10 Cal Poly students working in marketing and event support. In 2025, 10 countries were represented onstage, 265 artists were on Cal Poly Arts stages, and 936 voices united at their Choir! Choir! Choir! event.
“As we approach the close of the year and celebrate 40 years of Cal Poly Arts, I want to thank you for being part of a community that believes in the power of the arts to inspire and connect,” Cal Poly Arts Director Molly Clark announced. “This anniversary year has brought meaningful momentum. Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, we are already 40 percent of the way toward our $2.5 million goal for the Encore Endowment Initiative—with important work still ahead to reach our goal and secure a strong future for Cal Poly Arts.”
The initiative ensures more world-class performances and arts education. You can donate at calpolyarts.org/donations.
“Thank you for being part of this community,” Clark continued. “I hope you’ll join us in this encore and help safeguard a place where stories are shared, voices are lifted, and audiences are moved for the next 40 years and beyond.” ∆
This article appears in Jan 1-8, 2026.