777 West Olive Street
Newport, Oregon 97365

After years of fund raising events and tax bonds, the citizens of Newport saw their efforts pay off with the 1988 opening of the multi-million dollar Newport Performing Arts Center (NPAC). The 23,000-square-foot facility is set on a 4.5 acres at 777 W. Olive Street. It includes a main auditorium, lobby, administration offices, a studio theater/rehearsal room, actors' lounge, dressing rooms, costume shop, scene shop, mechanical and storage rooms, and a detached 2,650 foot storage building. Designed by the Portland-based firm of Moreland Christopher Myles Architects, the NPAC floorplan seats up to 390 in the orchestra and balcony sections and four galleries . The more intimate Studio Theater seats up to 100 people.

Built to serve both local and touring artists (with local artists given priority scheduling), the NPAC is available for rental to non-profits, non-arts groups, and private individuals. The total project cost for the Newport Performing Arts Center, including land, landscaping, parking lot, building and equipment, was $3 million. The City of Newport funded all but $500,000 through tax increment financing (urban renewal) with bonding under the auspices of the Newport Development Commission. The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts staffed and coordinated the private funding.

NPAC is managed by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA or Coast Arts), which provides scheduling, bookkeeping and administration services. Usher, box office, and most technical services are provided by volunteers trained by the OCCA staff. The OCCA covers all administrative costs, while the City of Newport provides insurance and exterior maintenance in addition to making a $60,000 annual contribution. Each individual performing arts group earns its expenses from ticket revenues.