Gallo Center for the Arts

The Gallo Center for the Arts, located in Modesto, California, is a premier performing arts venue that opened in 2007. Its inception stemmed from a public/private partnership, with construction funded by Stanislaus County and over 4,000 individual and business contributions. The idea for the center began in 1997 when Marie Damrell Gallo was tasked by Modesto Mayor Dick Lang to explore the feasibility of a downtown arts center. Following extensive research and fundraising, construction commenced in 2004, culminating in a $47 million facility designed by Nestor Gaffney Architecture, LLP, and other notable architects. The center features multiple venues, including the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and Foster Family Theater, and serves as home to resident companies such as the Central West Ballet and Modesto Symphony Orchestra. The Gallo Center for the Arts is renowned for its diverse programming, reflecting the cultural richness of the San Joaquin Valley, and offers extensive educational opportunities through initiatives like the Gallo Center Youth Academy. The center has been pivotal in enhancing the region's arts scene, supported by a $15 million endowment fund established by the Gallo family and the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation.