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1. What criteria do you use in selecting art exhibitors?

 The selection of art exhibits for the Poway Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) is selected by an objective panel of committee members.

• Art Exhibitors are selected based on:
  • Artistic merit of the work to be exhibited.
  • Appropriateness for viewing by audiences of all ages, including children.
  • Variety and type of media exhibited from month to month.
  • Most recent previous exhibit at the PCPA by an applicant (applicants cannot be guaranteed acceptance for consecutive years, though they may still apply).
• Artwork exhibited must be a product of the individual or members or other affiliates of the applicant

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1. What are the application submittal requirements?

The application must be completed in full and include:

• Six to ten images of art pieces or art typical of the work to be exhibited by the applicant must be submitted. “Six to ten images” is the total, not a per artist count.
• Each image must be accompanied with a listing of the title of work, media, and size.

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1. How do I reserve a date?

Call the Administrative Assistant at 858-668-4693, or send an email. Make sure to give 3 potential dates in order of priority. Contact administrative staff.

2. How do I know if a date has been approved?

The Administrative Assistant will advise if the date or dates are available. If the date is approved, and the Manager has given initial approval for the event, a confirmation email will be sent.

3. What type of events are not allowed?

Religious worship services, political activities, private social activities, events with potential to cause damage to the PCPA or a disturbance of the peace are not allowed at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

4. Do you rent for private parties, such as weddings, receptions, etc.?

No, this facility is designed as a limited public forum for the presentation of fine and performing arts and educational programming.

5. What is the earliest we can request a date?

You may request dates up to 1 year in advance. Final approval for requested dates will be given 3 to 9 months prior to the event, depending upon the priority of use.

6. Do you have stage or technical equipment available to rent to the general public?

No, PCPA equipment is only available for our clients' events.

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1. Do you have any curator tips?

The best exhibitions are often those that have an organizing idea and clear point of view. Solo exhibitions or those presenting two or three artists, simplify the Curator’s task because artworks created by the same artist are likely to suggest connections between the works. Large group exhibitions that include scores of artists represent a Curator’s most substantial challenge. Here are some tips to assist you in showcasing your selected art works to their best advantage:

• If you will be hanging art works by multiple artists in many different styles, sizes and media, try to identify over-arching themes and hang the works accordingly. To clarify your curatorial perspective, consider inventing subtitles for various sections of your exhibition that help communicate the different themes.
• If no over-arching themes are evident, you can group art works by subject matter, size, and art technique.
• If your show includes prizes, you may want to display the winners together.

2. What are the designated exhibit spaces?

A diagram of available exhibit spaces can be found in the Exhibit Space and Hanging System pdf.

3. Is there space to exhibit sculptures?

Display of sculptures may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

4. What art hanging system will be used?

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts has an art hanging system utilizing wires with adjustable hooks (please see details in the Exhibit Space and Hanging System pdf).

To ensure the artwork hangs properly, it is imperative that the artists prepare frames as follows:

• Prepare the wooden frame wires with eyehooks and wire that is approximately an inch and a half to two inches from the top of the frame using at least one-eighth inch eyehooks or larger. The hole on the eyehooks should be parallel to the ceiling.
• Prepare metal frames by adjusting the hooks to the top of the channel of the frame

5. How do we schedule the load-in and load-out of our art?

PCPA Staff will work with you upon selection to determine the load-in/load-out date. You are required to have staff assistance for the art exhibit load-in for a minimum of 2 hours at $23 per hour. Should your group require additional staff assistance or assistance for the load-out, a fee of $23 per hour will be assessed. 

6. Are there labeling requirements?

Create labels on a computer by printing them on clear label stock that can apply easily to the PCPA’s white walls. We have had success with: Avery 15663 Clear, Easy Peel Shipping labels and Avery 58163 Repositionable Shipping labels. All labels look best at the same level on the wall. Here is the standard format for labels:

• Artist name
• Title and Date 
• Medium & size of artwork in inches
• Price info (if any) 
• You may also include more information about the artwork or artist if so desired (e.g. contact info)

7. How will the exhibit be advertised?

We post your art exhibition on our website ( www.powaycenter.com ), using the brief description and photo of your art you provide to us. Photo must be in JPEG format, landscape orientation, 800pixels x 600pixels (4:3).

• We advertise your exhibit on our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram).
• You may provide business cards, postcards and/or brochures explaining the exhibit. These items will be placed on the lobby kiosk shelf designated for art exhibit information. Please be sure to provide contact information for person handling your artwork sales. 
• We suggest you share art gallery viewing hours with your patrons (these hours are posted on our website). 

Art Gallery viewing hours (Closed Sunday, Monday, and major Holidays):
Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
*Performances may affect gallery hours. Refer to powaycenter.com for current schedule.

• Please advise your patrons they will need a free, temporary parking pass when visiting the exhibit Tuesday through Friday, until 2:00 p.m. They should pick-up a parking pass from the Administrative Office before parking. To do so, park at the green curb (loading zone on Titan Way), come into the lobby and into the office to get the pass, and then park in the parking lot located at the back of the building.

8. Can I sell my artwork?

 Absolutely! Group or individual artists exhibiting at the PCPA agree to collect and report all applicable sales tax on any artwork sold. Sold artwork must remain on the wall until load-out.

9. Do you require insurance?

Applicant, for themselves and the above-named group and all members thereof, agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, its officers, officials, employees, and agents from and against all claims, damages, losses, and expenses arising out of Applicant’s use of the PCPA, including (but not limited to) injuries (including death), illness (including but not limited to any and all claims relating to COVID-19), damages and losses to, or sustained by, Applicant for themselves and the above-named group; and violations of local ordinances, or state or federal laws and regulations (including those arising from claims of discrimination and compliance with state and local COVID-19 regulations and other related protocols and/or requirements). Applicant agrees that it is solely responsible for compliance with all application of COVID-19 regulations, protocols and other requirements. Expenses could include attorney fees arising out of Applicant’s use of the PCPA; damages for the failure to provide for such safety and welfare for the Applicant and the above-named group and all members thereof; or involvement with the Exhibition described herein, caused in whole or in part by any negligent act or omission of the Applicant, for themselves and the above-named group and all members thereof.

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1. How do I purchase tickets?

You can purchase and print tickets online 24 hours a day at www.powaycenter.com at any location with an internet-capable computer and printer. Tickets purchased online are subject to a $5 internet convenience fee per ticket. Purchases made at our Box Office or over the phone (858-748-0505) are subject to a $3 per ticket service fee. Box Office hours are: Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., one hour prior to scheduled event, and up to one hour after scheduled event. The Box Office is closed Sunday through Thursday, and major holidays.

2. Which credit cards can I use to purchase tickets?

We accept all major credits cards: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.

3. How can I replace my lost or stolen tickets?

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Box Office can reprint tickets as long as the ticket or tickets were purchased directly from us (whether by phone or online). The original tickets will then become invalid. If you purchased your tickets online and selected to print eTickets, an email was sent to you with a "pdf" attachment of your tickets, and you can reprint your tickets. Tickets purchased through a 3rd party cannot be traced; therefore, we are unable to offer refunds or reprint tickets.

4. How can I find out when tickets will go on sale for a particular show?

Call the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 858-748-0505 during regular Box Office hours, or visit our website. Information is posted as soon as it is announced by the presenting group.

5. Must I purchase a ticket for my child?

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts is committed to providing quality cultural experiences for audience members of all ages. Regardless of age, everyone must have a ticket, including infants and children.

6. What is the policy on ticket refunds?

Ticket refunds are not available.

7. What is the policy on exchanging tickets?

Exchange policy depends on the policy of the presenting group. Tickets may not be exchanged between different presenting groups.

8. Where and when can I pick up my Will Call tickets?

After an order is placed, tickets can be picked up at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Box Office, during regular Box Office hours and one hour prior to scheduled event. Early pick-up is recommended to avoid pre-show lines. Please present ID when picking up tickets.

9. How do the scanned tickets work?

All tickets, including tickets printed at home, will be scanned when you enter the building. Each ticket has a unique barcode that can only be scanned once.

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1. How old do I have to be to volunteer and what is the commitment?

Every usher must be at least 15 ½ years of age. All potential ushers under the age of 18 must have written parental consent.

You must be able to commit to 1 year of service. As a volunteer, you are required to usher for one performance per month and / or complete a total of twelve performances within a season. The season runs from September to June.

2. How do I get started on becoming a volunteer?

Apply to become a volunteer. Complete the application in its entirety. The Front of House Coordinator will contact you within 14 days. Information regarding an orientation will be emailed to you. You must attend an orientation. Volunteer Application Form

3. Is there a screening process?

All potential ushers, 18 years and older, will be fingerprinted to process a California Department of Justice criminal background check.

4. I cannot walk up stairs or carry heavy objects, can I still volunteer?

Ushers with disabilities or limitations should contact the Front of House Coordinator to discuss their situation. Ushers must be able to move and react quickly for the safety of our patrons.

5. What benefits are there to ushering?

Aside from meeting thousands of theater-goers and the other friendly members of our ushering staff, our volunteers earn free tickets to our productions throughout the year.

6. Do I need to go through training again once the season ends?

Yes, every usher must attend a re-certification class before volunteering for the next season. These classes are scheduled in July and August.