Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation

What Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation does

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation operates an 809-seat state-of-the-art municipal theater at 15498 Espola Road in Poway, California, known locally as 'The Jewel of Poway.' The facility is owned and operated by the City of Poway as a Division of the Community Services Department and serves San Diego County audiences with a mix of professional touring performances, community productions, school events, and visual art exhibitions. Professional programming is booked through Poway OnStage, a separate non-profit organization that assembles the annual lineup of concerts, theater, dance, comedy, and family shows (artists booked include Mavis Staples, Al Jardine, Jake Shimabukuro, and The Modern Gentlemen). The center also maintains a unique public-private partnership with Poway Unified School District, embedding the venue in K-12 arts education and student performances.

The technical infrastructure is professional-grade and includes an ETC GIO@5 lighting control board, Meyer Sound loudspeaker systems (M'elodie, UPA-2P, UPJ-1P, M2D, MM-4XP), Yamaha M7CL-48 and LS9-32 audio mixing consoles, Strand CD80 dimmer racks, 36 single-purchase counterweight line sets in a full fly system, a motorized Gala Lift orchestra pit, a 59-foot-6-inch grid, Clear-Com FreeSpeak II production communications, Qlab A/V playback, Wenger orchestral shells, and accessibility features including a Listen 72 MHz hearing assistance system with 40 receivers. Lobby walls at orchestra and balcony levels accommodate rotating monthly exhibitions of 60-80 framed pieces by local and regional artists.

Revenue is generated through tiered ticket sales ($76–$109 adult, discounted senior/military/student, half-price youth), a 20% subscription discount for 5+ show purchases, facility rentals to community groups, a volunteer usher program, and grants from public arts funders including the NEA and California Arts Council. The 1-10 employee operation also benefits from a broad roster of ~20 local marketing sponsors (restaurants, wineries, breweries, family foundations, and senior service organizations). Capital renovations are scheduled for July–September 2026.

Name

Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation

Legal name

Poway Center for the Performing Arts

Website

https://powaycenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation operates an 809-seat municipal theater in Poway, California, hosting professional touring performances, community productions, PUSD student events, and rotating visual art exhibitions for San Diego County audiences under the City of Poway's Community Services Department.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Venue Guest Services & Front-of-House Operations (Ushers, Box Office, Accessibility) (MPAGALAK), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live entertainment productions
• Theater facility rental
• Box office ticketing
• Community performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Poway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation operates an 809-seat professional-grade theater venue that hosts live performances including concerts, plays, dance, and family shows through its nonprofit partner Poway OnStage. The center also provides venue rentals to community groups, technical production services, monthly rotating art exhibitions, and box office ticketing services to San Diego County residents.

Product overview

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts is an 809-seat performing arts venue owned and operated by the City of Poway. The facility operates as a multi-service arts organization offering venue rental for professional and community performances, comprehensive box office ticketing services, monthly rotating visual art exhibitions, and professional technical production support. Poway OnStage, a separate non-profit organization, books and presents professional performers at the venue. The venue also offers a volunteer usher program and serves Poway Unified School District students through educational performance opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Poway OnStage: Non-profit organization responsible for booking professional artists into the city-owned Poway Center for the Performing Arts

Products and services

• Venue Rental and Facility Use Rental of the 809-seat professional-grade theater to community groups, organizations, and events for performances, including access to stage, seating, lighting, and sound equipment.
• Box Office Ticketing Services Comprehensive ticketing services for performances including online ticket sales through TicketSearch, phone orders, and at-window purchases, with e-ticket delivery and will call options.
• Art Exhibition Program Visual art exhibitions in the theatre lobby at orchestra and balcony levels accommodating 60-80 framed pieces, with new exhibits opening monthly featuring local, regional, and student artists.
• Poway OnStage Professional Performance Series A subscription-based professional performance series presenting touring marquee talent in drama, dance, music, comedy, and family programming at the Poway Center venue.
• Technical Production Services Professional technical staff and equipment including lighting, sound, stage management, fly system, orchestra pit, and production communications for client events and resident productions.
• Volunteer Usher Program Volunteer usher program supporting theatre operations including ticket taking, patron assistance, program distribution, and customer service for performances.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000+ annual patrons
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bernardo WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website. Nature of sponsorship appears to be general marketing support for the performing arts venue.
• Bertrand's MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website. Likely provides musical equipment support or marketing sponsorship.
• City of PowaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner and operator of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts as a Division of the Community Services Department. Provides municipal funding, facilities management, and staff.
• Poway Unified School District (PUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique public-private partnership providing arts education and performance opportunities for students throughout the year. PUSD uses the facility for student performances and educational programs.
• Poway OnStagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization responsible for booking professional artists into the city-owned venue. Assembles annual lineup of marquee talent from drama, dance, music, comedy and more.
• Casa de las CampanasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSenior living community listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Triune Nature Senior Services Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSenior services organization listed as a sponsor supporting performing arts programming.
• Oasis San DiegominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSenior education and engagement organization listed as a sponsor.
• GretelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Miguel's CocinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• BrigantineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Woof'n Rose WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal winery listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Alesmith Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal craft brewery listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Nothing Bundt CakesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBakery franchise listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Crystal Garden FloristminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal florist listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Ramona Tire ProsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal automotive service business listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.
• Leah McBride, American Pacific MortgageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndividual mortgage professional listed as a sponsor on the Poway OnStage website.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Copley Symphony Hall: Home of the San Diego Symphony, presenting professional musical performances in a dedicated concert hall. Comparable as a San Diego performing arts venue presenting professional programming with subscription ticketing.
• La Jolla Playhouse: Tony Award-winning regional theater in San Diego presenting professional productions and new works. Comparable as a San Diego area professional theater operating under a non-profit model with mixed subscription and single-ticket revenue.
• Old Globe Theatre: Major regional theater in San Diego's Balboa Park producing professional plays and musicals. Comparable as a larger San Diego performing arts institution with subscription programming and arts education programs.
• California Center for the Arts, Escondido: Regional performing arts center in Escondido, CA, also in San Diego's North County. Closest geographic and functional comparable — multi-venue facility hosting professional concerts, theater, and community programming.
• North Coast Repertory Theatre: Professional regional theater located in Solana Beach, also serving North County San Diego. Comparable scale and market, presenting professional plays and musicals to a similar suburban audience.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Civic Theatre: City-owned 2,900+ seat performing arts venue in downtown San Diego. Comparable as a municipal performing arts facility but much larger, hosting Broadway tours and major concerts rather than the mid-sized touring acts PCPA presents.
• Broadway San Diego: Touring Broadway presenter in San Diego operating at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Comparable as a presenter of professional performances but at much larger scale and with a national-touring focus rather than local/community programming.

Regional players

• The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park: Outdoor performing arts venue on San Diego Bay opened in 2021. Comparable as a professional San Diego performance venue presenting major touring artists, but outdoor format and downtown location target a different audience than PCPA's indoor suburban model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/1PCPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/powaycenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/powaycenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation