News and Press Releases
Showcasing artists, galleries, indoor and outdoor concerts, sound stages, traditional theater performances, and comedy shows, VAPA will provide to the community a full season of live entertainment options. Please see the schedules on our events page.
Please visit this page often and sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive information for upcoming events, classes, and programs at VAPA.
PARKING AT THE VAPA CENTER
5 Things You Didn’t Know About the VAPA Center
by Loán Lake – https://www.charlottesgotalot.com
CHARLOTTE, (October 11, 2024) – Get to know this visual and performing arts center in Charlotte
Nestled on the edge of Uptown Charlotte is the VAPA Center, a locally run arts space for the visual and performing arts. Since 2021, the VAPA Center has emerged as an artist collective in the heart of Charlotte that is home to more than 20 arts organizations. Learn more about the VAPA Center and its contributions to Charlotte’s arts scene.
VAPA Center Supports Hundreds of Local Creatives
Home to more than 370 creatives of various crafts and backgrounds, the VAPA Center is a hub for musicians, dancers, culture bearers, painters and potters to showcase their creativity in an affordable and communal way. As you step foot onto the premises, you are greeted with vivid paintings, woodwork and photography depicting various aspects of life. A stroll through the hallways reveals the work of myriad artists at every turn.
“We envisioned a creative space where local artists could showcase and sell their work without the worry of exorbitant rents. Now, each artist is coming in and bringing their network with them to be a part of the VAPA community,” said VAPA executive director Arthur Rogers Jr., whose vibrant paintings are also featured in the space. “We probably have every demographic in the building – Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, veteran, woman owned…”
The Vapa center BREAKS GROUND ON MAJOR RENOVATION PROJECT Starting October 14, 2024
CHARLOTTE, (October 11, 2024) – The VAPA Center Awarded Nearly $2 Million in Funding from Mecklenburg County
WHAT:
The Visual and Performing Arts Center (VAPA) will begin a major renovation project on Monday, October 14, 2024. Supported by $1.7 million in funding from Mecklenburg County, this project will improve the center’s building infrastructure, ensuring the safety and longevity of the space for the more than 370 artists and creative organizations that call VAPA home. The renovations will include critical updates such as egress improvements, exit signage, sprinkler modifications, and fire alarm system upgrades, all managed by Little Diversified, VAPA’s architect of record, and Wharton-Smith, general contractors. The media and the public are invited to join the VAPA Center team and dignitaries.
WHEN:
Monday, October 14, 2024
10:00 AM
WHERE:
VAPA Center, 700 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC
DETAILS:
- The VAPA Center will remain open throughout the renovations. All scheduled events, artist studios, and community programming will continue.
- This construction phase marks a pivotal moment for VAPA as the center continues to grow and expand its offerings to the Charlotte community, including a 5-year lease extension from Mecklenburg County.
- Media are invited to cover the groundbreaking ceremony and explore the center’s ongoing operations.
WHAT’S NEXT:
In addition to the renovation, the VAPA Center will continue to host monthly Open Studios and is planning for its VAPAVERSARY celebration in March 2025, offering even more ways for the community to engage with local artists and the arts scene in Charlotte.
CONTACT:
Rose Craig
Development Director
VAPA Center
704-806-9584
rose@vapacenter.com
About The VAPA Center
Founded in February 2021, VAPA (The Visual and Performing Arts Center), is a non-profit organization committed to cultivating affordable, accessible space for artists to create, practice, exhibit, and perform. Bringing vibrant arts experiences to the heart of Charlotte, VAPA is home to hundreds of artists and creative organizations who regularly showcase a diverse range of events including art galleries, indoor and outdoor concerts, sound stages, traditional theater performances, and comedy shows throughout the year. For more information about The VAPA Center, visit https://www.vapacenter.com/.
The Vapa center awarded nearly $2 Million in funding from Mecklenburg County and a 5 year lease extension
CHARLOTTE, (May 23, 2024) – The VAPA Center Awarded Nearly $2 Million in Funding from Mecklenburg County
The VAPA Center (The Visual and Performing Arts Center), will receive $1.7 million in funding from Mecklenburg County to improve current building conditions. By improving the building, VAPA will be able to continue in its mission to provide affordable spaces for artist businesses and make various, diverse art experiences accessible for residents.
“The VAPA Center is more than just a building. It’s a community of artists and a commitment to value the work they produce and present. We are so thankful to Mecklenburg County for their generous support of VAPA and of the more than 350 creatives that call VAPA their home,” said Executive Director, Arthur Rogers, Jr.
Since opening in 2022, the VAPA Center has experienced remarkable growth – averaging nearly 7,000 visitors in January 2024, a more than 2000% year-over-year increase. The center’s booming growth highlights the Charlotte community’s appetite for diverse, engaging cultural experiences and led to a five-year lease extension from Mecklenburg County. With that growth comes the need to ensure both the longevity and safety of the building for residents which VAPA’s architect of record, Little Diversified, will oversee beginning July 2024. Funding from the county will enable critical upgrades for the building including: spray fireproofing, egress updates, exit signage, sprinkler modifications, a DOAS (Dedicated Outside Air Supply) system, and fire alarm system upgrades.
Located at 700 N Tryon Street, The VAPA center was originally home to Sears before becoming The Hal Marshall Center. In an agreement with Mecklenburg County, The VAPA Center was formed in 2021 following planned demolition of Spirit Square which left multiple artists without adequate workspace. Recognized as the northern end of Charlotte’s “Creative Mile”, VAPA is a non-profit organization providing an inclusive environment where artists can work and the public can interact with the creative process. VAPA has received multiple awards and is now home to over 350 artists. Click here for more information about our organization https://www.vapacenter.com/.
Community donations to the VAPA Center ensure continued preservation of diverse, engaging arts experiences for Charlotte area residents. When you donate to support and sustain The VAPA Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, you are making an investment not only in VAPA but also in Charlotte’s vibrant, dynamic community of exciting, innovative artists! Click here to make your gift to VAPA today!
About The VAPA Center
Founded in February 2021, VAPA (The Visual and Performing Arts Center), is a non-profit organization committed to cultivating affordable, accessible space for artists to create, practice, exhibit, and perform. Bringing vibrant arts experiences to the heart of Charlotte, VAPA is home to hundreds of artists and creative organizations who regularly showcase a diverse range of events including art galleries, indoor and outdoor concerts, sound stages, traditional theater performances, and comedy shows throughout the year. For more information about The VAPA Center, visit https://www.vapacenter.com/.
The VAPA Center Honored at the VISION Awards
CHARLOTTE, (April 3, 2024) – The VAPA Center was awarded a Trailblazer award at the 16th Annual Vision Awards presented by Center City Partners.
The Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals, organizations, small businesses, or institutions that have been foundational to or were key community pioneers in Center City’s history.
Founded in 2021, The VAPA Center (Visual and Performing Arts Center) was created out of a need to provide much-needed space for artists and creative entrepreneurs to create, practice, exhibit, and perform. The founders of VAPA , along with Mecklenburg County, came together to identify an underused space in Uptown that could be leveraged for this mission. Housed in the former Hal Marshall County Services Center, VAPA is home to hundreds of artists and creative organizations, providing them with a place to nurture and showcase their work.
Accepting the award on stage was, Arthur Rogers, Jr., Executive Director and a founding member, Joanne Rogers, Owner and founder of Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery, and also a founding member, Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager, and Mecklenburg County Board Chair, George Dunlap.
Trailblazer Award
Thank you to all of the VAPA Center’s founding members, staff, and the over 350 creatives who have given their hearts and energies to create a wonderful place for the Artists of Charlotte.
Special thank you to all of The VAPA Center’s creatives who were in attendance to support us!
Charlotte ACTING IS BACK IN PERSON AT THE VAPA CENTER
CHARLOTTE, (February 8, 2023) – The Queen City’s Charlotte Acting (CharlotteActing.com) classes were diverted in 2020 because of Spirit Square’s closure and Covid. Charlotte Acting’s owner Linda Ann Watt took that time to write a book and she offered Zoom classes to her students in the interim.
She has announced classes are back in person at Visual Arts and Performing Arts (VAPA) Center which is a mecca for visual and performing arts in the heart of Charlotte. She also launched her new book The Actors Manifesto; Create a Successful Acting Career, available on Amazon. The book complements Watt’s classes and can be used as an encyclopedia of reference for actors.
Charlotte’s Latinx photographers find a home at OBRA Collective
CHARLOTTE, (June 16, 2022) – A Charlotte-based arts collective will gather on June 17 at 7 p.m., with an invitation to explore the worlds of five local, Latinx photographers. The event is being held at the Visual and Performing Arts Center, also known as VAPA, on North Tryon Street. – wfae.org
Artistas latinos exponen obras en nuevo espacio cultural de Charlotte: Centro VAPA
CHARLOTTE, (March 06, 2022) – Once organizaciones artísticas de Charlotte, incluida una de latinos, inauguraron el cinco de marzo el Centro de Artes Visuales y Escénicas (VAPA Center) en el antiguo edificio Hal Marshall, ubicado en 700 North Tryon Street. – La Noticia – por
VAPA brings a vibrant arts space to uptown Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, (March 05, 2022) – The Visual and Performing Arts Center, or VAPA, will officially open to the public in Charlotte on March 5. According to an earlier press release, “The intent of VAPA is to create a space which brings together artists to create, practice and exhibit their respective arts. Born out of necessity, due to the closing of Spirit Square and the lingering impact of the pandemic, a space was needed for artists to come together to continue to teach classes, rehearse shows and perform.” – qnotescarolinas.com
Opening Day!
Photos by Michael Maxwell, Leigh Williams and Mert Jones
Thank you Charlotte for the tremendous support you showed by attending our opening day event.
After 4 and a half months of preparation, we are now open to the public daily. Please stop by and enjoy the art and the performances. You’ll never know what is happening inside the VAPA Center. A concert, a dance recital, live painting could be going on at any moment. The only way to be sure you don’t miss anything is to visit us.
Our hours of operation are as follows:
Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 9 pm
Friday and Saturday, 9 am – 11 pm
Sunday, Noon – 6 pm
Entry and Parking are FREE!
The VAPA Center Open House / March 5, 2022 – 1 – 6 pm
Together we brought a new artist community to Uptown Charlotte.
The VAPA Center now houses over 120 Visual and Performing Artists.
Join us as we celebrate!
Saturday, March 5, 2022
1-6 pm.
Tour the center, meet the artists and performers and learn how this collaborative space is connecting with the arts community.
The event and parking is FREE!
Art is a verb. Art, Everyday!
#arteveryday
#vapacenter
Special thanks to @mecklenburgcounty
@charlottecentercity
@knightfdn
@mccollcenter
@perkinseastman.carolinas
@gensler_charlotte
#ArtEveryday!
Welcome to the Visual and Performing Arts Center
Press Release
CHARLOTTE, (September 21, 2021) – The Visual and Performing Arts Center (VAPA) today announced the opening of its new collaboration with Mecklenburg County. The intent of VAPA is to create a space which brings together artists to create, practice and exhibit their respective arts. Born out of necessity, due to the closing of Spirit Square and the lingering impact of the pandemic, a space was needed for artists to come together to continue to teach classes, rehearse shows and perform. The McColl Center and Charlotte Ballet, part of the founding member group of artists, worked with Mecklenburg County to identify and understand a space in the Uptown area which could be repurposed as an arts center.
From Sears and Roebuck to Arts and Entertainment
Charlotte’s VAPA Center Brings Local A&E to the Community
CHARLOTTE, (September 13, 2021) – Take a look or walk around Charlotte these days, and you can’t help but notice the area’s budding artist community. Massive murals and open-air entertainment events seem to be popping up everywhere.
Given the current state of the pandemic, you may find yourself asking: just where are all these folks rehearsing, storing supplies or holding their event planning meetings?
There’s no question about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, and how it has forced many spaces to shut their doors or limit occupancy and availability. But, there might just be a silver lining around this cloud that could produce quite a rainbow.
The VAPA Center Awarded Grant
Small Business Innovation Fund – Charlotte Center City Partners
CHARLOTTE, (August 18, 2021) – The Charlotte Center City Small Business Innovation Fund today announced it has awarded $1,034,00 in grants to 27 more small businesses within Center City to spur and support innovation as they continue to adapt to the new economic realities and opportunities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 27 recipients in Round 4, which finishes allocating all available funding, join the 116 recipients from Rounds 1-3. In all, 143 Charlotte small businesses received innovation grants totaling more than $4.6M.
The VAPA Center Approved by County Commissioners
CHARLOTTE, (July 7, 2021) – The Mecklenburg County Commissioners unanimously approved the initial terms of the lease agreements for The VAPA Center to take principal occupancy of the Hal Marshall building located at 700 North Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte.
The recorded County Commissioners meeting can be viewed by clicking the button below. The discussion and approval is at the 03.56.00 minute mark.
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