WEST COVINA, CA – West Covina Unified’s Board of Education ceremonially broke ground on a 650-seat Performing Arts Center on Oct. 27, launching construction on a flagship facility where students can showcase their artistic talent.

Housed at West Covina High School, the West Covina Unified Performing Arts Center will offer dedicated performance and practice spaces for the high school’s visual and performing arts programs, as well as a venue for all West Covina Unified schools to stage visual and performing arts events.

“West Covina Unified is committed to providing students with facilities and resources that inspire excellence,” WCUSD Superintendent Charles D. Hinman said. “We are excited to break ground on the Performing Arts Center and move one step closer to providing a venue for students of all ages to explore their artistry.”

The $31 million Performing Arts Center, funded by the voter-approved Measure ES, is expected to take 22 months to build and open in fall 2022. The complex features a dance studio and dedicated spaces for the school’s theater department – including a black box theater – and choral department.

The center will also serve as a hub for the West Covina High School Performing Arts Academy, which will offer an exclusive fine arts education in a free, public school setting.

Highly motivated students with a passion for the performing arts will receive valuable industry insight from teaching artists, gain internships and prepare for advanced educational and career opportunities at the Academy, which is accepting applications for 2021-22 enrollment.

The Performing Arts Center is the latest of several Measure ES-funded projects to progress in 2020; its groundbreaking follows the completion of the Edgewood Event Center and Edgewood Sports Complex in September.

With the support and encouragement of Board President Camie Poulos, Vice President Eileen Miranda Jimenez, Board Clerk Dr. Rose Lopez and Board Members Michael Flowers and Daniel C. Monarrez, the District continued construction on its state-of-the-art facilities during school closures while following county public health guidelines.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

WCUSD_ARTS_CENTER1: West Covina Unified Board of Education members and Superintendent Dr. Charles D. Hinman break ground on the District’s Performing Arts Center on Oct. 27.

WCUSD_ARTS_CENTER2: West Covina Unified’s 650-seat Performing Arts Center, expected to be completed in fall 2022, will provide performance and practice spaces for West Covina High School’s visual and performing arts programs.