Who We Are

The dream of a center for the arts goes all the way back to 1967, when a group of Vancouver citizens formed initial plans to build such a facility. Over the years, solid leadership led to careful research and a number of building proposals in various locations. In 2003, when community champion and retired state legislator Val Ogden joined the board, the Southwest Washington Center for the Arts gained nonprofit status. Leaders visited sites in Oregon and Washington to gather information about building and operating a performing arts center.