Art Centre of Plano

(at Ne corner of 18th & H)
The ArtCentre of Plano, Inc., formerly known as the Cultural Arts Council of Plano, Inc. (CACOP) was founded in 1981 as a private non-profit organization to promote the growth and development of emerging community arts groups. In 1982, JMB Management company agreed to donate the 1,400 square feet of space in Collin Creek Mall to house CACOP's Plano Cultural Arts Center. For the next ten years, CACOP provided quality arts programming for the community in this location. The Center was used primarily for general offices, visual arts exhibits, performing arts rehearsals, classes, lectures, local arts organizations' meetings, and other special cultural events. Due to expansion plans for Collin Creek Mall, it became necessary for CACOP to relocate. In September 1990, while exploring relocation possibilities, a meeting with CACOP member groups was held by the arts council's Board of Directors to evaluate the needs of the arts community. Surveys clearly indicated the need for a larger and more centralized, multi-discipline, community arts facility. To satisfy the needs of the arts community, on July 12, 1991, the CACOP purchased the old Harrington Furniture Store, a 100-year old landmark at 1039 E. 15th Street in historic downtown Plano. This two-building property was renovated into a much-needed community arts center for Plano. The project received additional affirmation when the City of Plano announced its comprehensive long-term plan to revitalize the historic downtown area. The plan echoed the need to establish the downtown area as a center for local arts and cultural activities. In 1992, renovation of the warehouse annexed to the furniture store was completed as the ArtCentre Theatre, a 160-seat proscenium auditorium. This is now home to the Plano Repertory Theatre and is used by other local arts organizations as a low-cost intimate performance venue. Construction continued on the main building, and the ArtCentre opened for arts programming in the spring of 1994. Shortly thereafter, a structural fault developed on the building's east exterior, making the facility unsafe. It was determined that, in the interest of public safety, the east side of the building had to be demolished. Consequently, the CACOP had to move to temporary offices as well as to cancel or postpone all previously planned programs that were to use the building. In addition, new funding had to be raised to completely rebuild the east side of the building. Through the continuous and generous support of corporate and individual donors, the ArtCentre of Plano was completed and was reopened to the public on September 30, 1995. The ArtCentre has become an outstanding resource in the greater Plano area as demonstrated by over 150,000 people who have experienced high quality, diverse programming in the ArtCentre's facilities. Information from the ArtCentre's site