Our Story | The DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

Our History

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

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

Timeline

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

2001

Fischoff National Chamber Music Association relocates to Notre Dame.

2002

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

2003

Marie P. DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts opens.

2004

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

2005

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

2006

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

2007

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

2008

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

2009

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

2010

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

2010

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

2011

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

2012

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

2013

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

2014

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

2014

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

2015

Ted Barron named executive director.

2016

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

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

2017

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

The Center celebrates 15 years pf presenting the arts at Notre Dame.

2019

Discover + Engage