The Empire strives to promote culture, the arts, and lifelong learning by providing a venue for a wide variety of activities in the upper Red River Valley.

Description:
The Empire Arts Center is the performing arts home for many local arts groups. The facility is also used by the local schools, the University of North Dakota and many local businesses and individuals for a variety of events including performances and meetings. In addition, the Empire brings in local, regional and national acts for events.

The Empire uses a great deal of volunteer help to operate. Volunteers are used to staff events, helping with a variety of duties such as selling tickets, taking tickets, ushering patrons, selling concessions and cleaning the auditorium after events. Volunteers are also needed for special events or special projects on occasion. Volunteers are needed for approximately 150 events each year.

History:
The Empire operated as a commercial movie theater from November 1919 through April 1994. The building was donated to the North Valley Arts Council to use as a performing arts center. After renovation, NOVAC operated the theater from March 1998 through June 2002. The Empire Arts Center separated from NOVAC and became a stand alone non-profit entity on July 1, 2002. Since 2002 the Empire has become a very important part of the local arts community and the performing home for many local arts groups and performers.

Contact person: Mark Landa, Executive Director, (701) 746-5500, (email)
Office fax number: (701) 746-5500

Address:

415 Demers Avenue Grand Forks, ND 58201 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.empireartscenter.com

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: Metro Transit Center, 2 minute walk