“The community is super invested in the arts. We’re backed by the council, the mayor and city leadership,” patron services supervisor Emma McKenzie said. “But the way that it enhances people's lives... Most of our volunteers are elderly. They have elderly spouses, and from not being able to connect with the community to then being able to come out and join the volunteer program as patrons of the arts center—it's completely changed their lives.”
During the height of lockdowns and restrictions, the center found ways to enrich the lives of the local community, first by launching an outdoor drive-in movie experience in the center's parking lot, which allowed families to safely enjoy films together, and a virtual volunteering program. As restrictions eased, the center opened up for early voting and began offering docent-led tours as well as a digital game playground for children and families.
Today, the center offers a wide variety of programs and activities for patrons, including make-and-take crafts for children on the weekends, artists presentations and shows in the Main Hall, and local resident art group productions and art exhibits, which allow Coppell citizens to share their work with the community. The Coppell Arts Center has a presented season of seven shows and other events and shows year-round, along with all the productions produced by Theatre Coppell, the Coppell Community Chorale, the Coppell Community Orchestra and the Ballet Ensemble of Texas
“Our goal is to create memorable experiences and expose as many people as we can to new art and culture experiences,” said Ginene Delcioppo, managing director of the Coppell Arts Center.
Highlights from upcoming events at the Coppell Arts Center from the Experience IT! Season and the Local Resident Art Groups programs include:
- Coppell Arts Council’s Quilt and Fiber Arts Exhibit on display from Sept. 17 through Nov. 2.
- Theatre Coppell’s The Diary of Anne Frank: Sept. 20-Oct. 6
- Lone Star Circus’s Wild West Circus: Sept. 21
- Dog Days: Fashion Show and Adoption Event presented by the Coppell Arts Center Foundation: Oct. 5
- Coppell Community Orchestra’s Dance Around the World Concert: Oct. 13
- Uptown, the epicenter of contemporary Pop and Soul: Oct. 18
- REFLEX: Unraveling 4,000 years of juggling: Nov. 2
- Coppell Community Chorale’s: A Choir for All Ages: Oct. 20
- Ballet Ensemble of Texas’s Dracula: Oct. 26
- A Very Electric Christmas: Dec. 14
But the center's reach extends beyond ticketed events. The Arts Center consists of over 30,000 sq ft of space complete with two performance halls, a Reception Hall, a Lobby Gallery for Art Exhibits, the Vari Studio Classroom and The Grove, a plaza area complete with an outdoor stage. The Coppell Arts Center hosts weddings and other private celebrations as well as community events, where residents can gather for free events, ticketed events and to host their own private event to connect with their neighbors.
Community engagement by design
Community engagement is the driving force behind the Coppell Arts Center's success. At the heart of the center's operations is a robust volunteer program that has grown from just 11 volunteers to over 100 active participants. Volunteers assist with welcoming patrons, supporting events and even helping with community outreach.
“Our volunteers are a wonderful group of people who donate their time to see our building succeed, whether it's for resident companies, free events or the selections that we bring in,” McKenzie said.
The Coppell Arts Center's commitment to the community is evident in its very design. The building's warm, natural elements create a welcoming atmosphere, while the versatile performance spaces and multipurpose rooms reflect the center's desire to be a true hub for the arts and for the people of Coppell.
“When you're inside our building, we want you to feel like you are having the time of your life in an elegant place to enjoy your experience,” Delcioppo said. “It's got a lot of light and a lot of natural wood, so that it feels warm and welcoming."
As the Coppell Arts Center has grown, so too has its appeal and reach into the surrounding area. As the Coppell Arts Center continues to grow and evolve, its role as a community hub for the arts remains steadfast. Whether it's hosting a world-class performance, facilitating a family craft activity or simply providing a welcoming space for residents to gather, the center is committed to enriching the lives of those in Coppell and beyond.
To learn more about the Coppell Arts Center, its upcoming events and volunteer program, visit the website today.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Multi Platform Journalist Jacquelyn Chorush with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
