Our Story

United in Heart + Mind

Our Story

United in Heart + Mind

Since opening in September 2004, the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center has become an integral part of the University’s vision and commitment to becoming a preeminent research university. It is the University’s leading presenter of world-class artistic programming, having commissioned over 40 new works in every conceivable genre.

As an academic space, the center enhances the scholarship, teaching, and practice of the performing and cinematic arts. As a community space, the center welcomes more than 100,000 patrons annually, including hundreds of K–12 students in education and related artistic programs. Guided by goals aligned with Notre Dame’s strategic plan, the center is where scholars, students, and community residents are building a home for the arts together.

Our Vision

Our programming arises from excitement for our purpose — celebrating people and the power of creative expression. The arts and inspiration must be broadly available to all. We all win when more discover, support, and add their talents to South Bend’s cultural community in the many spaces and places where it grows.

Learn how we’re reimagining the arts and communities we serve.

Building a Better Stage. Together.

These times demand action to address racial and social injustice more than ever. To reckon with racism and inequality in the arts, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center is taking meaningful steps toward lasting change to fulfill our mission of appreciating and igniting creativity in all of us. View our commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Our Venues

When the center first opened it was announced as one of the region’s cultural capitals, offering artists and audiences five world-class performing arts venues. Since then, we’ve expanded to include off-site performances at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and O’Neill Hall of Music, among others. Learn more about our venues.

There is an innate creative passion in all of us which we ignite through inspiring premier arts experiences.

Open. Accessible. Accepting.

Contact or visit us today.

Ticket Office Hours

p. 574-631-2800
Monday—Friday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET
+ 1 hour prior to events
Ticket Information

Address

DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
100 Performing Arts Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556
p. 574-631-2995
f. 574-631-9411
Directions + Parking
General Information

Tours

Docent tours are available during the academic year.
Tuesday-Thursday, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
Request a Tour

Booking Inquiries

p. 574-631-2995
Event Requests

Noteworthy Moments

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For the 2023–2024 Presenting Series production, “ASHE: A Celebration of Voices,” UZIMA! Drum and Dance spent the fall inviting all voices to create a community reflection that resounds with our region’s hopes, struggles, dreams + untold stories.

2023
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Emorja Roberson ’17, ’22, Notre Dame’s first African American Doctor of Musical Arts recipient, recently presented BE-SPOKEN. The degree recital weaved together sacred texts and music genres, addressing Black empowerment, justice, and hope.

2022
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A Browning Cinema March 4 screening for Notre Dame students is the first arts presentation since the center’s March 2020 closure. WeekND Flix 2021

2021
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Uncertainty after public event cancellations becomes a renewed sense of purpose by supporting the University’s COVID-19 response.

2020
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The center celebrates 15 years of presenting the arts at Notre Dame.

2019
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New mission, vision, values, and strategic plan are completed.

Mission

There is an innate creative passion in all of us which we ignite through inspiring, premier arts experiences.

Vision

We work collaboratively to elevate the greater good in society by establishing the University of Notre Dame as a leading voice in the arts.

2018
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Notre Dame designates south campus as University’s new arts district.

Sean Martin and Ricky Herbst appointed as the center’s new programming team.

2017
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Ted Barron named executive director.

2016
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Nathan Gunn sings Mendelssohn’s Elijah, a collaboration of more than 165 artists and administrators.

2015

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Inaugural Art+Soul of Notre Dame Gala raises the center’s national stature.

 

2014

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Wild Sound by Ensemble-in-Residence Third Coast Percussion hailed for innovative use of live and taped multimedia at commission world premiere.

2014
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Browning Cinema transitions to DCP (digital cinema package), a critical technical upgrade as studios abandon 35mm film.

2013

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The center co-presents Sacred Music at Notre Dame’s first concerts. The festival is professionally filmed for a documentary.

 

2012

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Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez premiere Catholic pilgrimage film, The Way, to sold-out audiences.

2011

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Center dedicates its first theater commission, RFK: Journey to Justice, to Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., who attends opening night.

2010
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Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra is first University ensemble to perform a commission.

2010

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Ed Asner and John Heard headline L.A. Theatreworks’ The Great Tennessee Monkey Trials.

2009
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Academic year-long examination Faust at Notre Dame anchored by performances and film series.

2008
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Dave Brubeck Quartet performs sold out concert with Notre Dame students. Anna M. Thompson is executive director.

2007
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Itzhak Perlman calls the Leighton Concert Hall “the best on this continent.”

2006

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The Chieftans and New York Philharmonic continue the string of opening season sold-out performances.

2005

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Marie P. DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts opens.

2004

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Endowment of the Judd and Mary Lou Leighton Directorship for the Performing Arts. John Haynes is executive director.

2003
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Fischoff National Chamber Music Association relocates to Notre Dame.

2002

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Groundbreaking ceremony for Marie P. DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts.

2001