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.
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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