The Merced County Arts Council, Inc.

Incorporated in 1978, The Merced County Arts Council serves to provide the synergy of education, place and voice to inspire and nurture the arts with particular emphasis towards ARTREE, an award winning artists in schools and communities program.

The Arts Council facilitates arts in education conferences, public arts projects, arts and music festivals, and so forth, with a commitment towards the immensely important economic, educational and social dividends provided through the arts. Additionally, the Arts Council helps to organize and enhance mutual support and resource assistance to all organizations and schools involved in traditional, culturally specific and contemporary art forms.

The Merced County Arts Council's administration of the Multicultural Arts Center and community programs are funded in part by matched public monies, private corporation grants, local memberships and donations from businesses, individuals and service organizations.

The Merced Multicultural Arts Center

In 1978, the Goldman Fund was left to the City of Merced in memory of Morris and Amelia Goldman. Held in trust for creation of a multi-functional arts and cultural community center, the Goldman Fund came into play as an element of the City's 1991 Downtown Strategy to revitalize the historic core of the community.

In 1994, the City of Merced's Redevelopment Agency and the Merced County Arts Council joined in partnership to renovate the once grand 28,000 square foot Montgomery Wards department store at 645 W. Main Street.

Since its completion in 1996 as a downtown redevelopment anchor, the Merced Multicultural Arts Center has been honored with an American Institute of Architecture award. The Merced County Arts Council's re-energized programming, launched from their new home, received the League of California Cities' 2001 "Helen Putnam Award for Excellence" Grand Prize for Arts and Quality of Life. This progressive relationship between the City of Merced and the Merced County Arts Council also led to Merced being chosen as one of only four California cities featured in the televised documentary "2001:Year of the Arts", celebrating the 25th anniversary of the California Arts Council.

The Merced Multicultural Arts Center is a modern, open three story facility providing space and support for arts education, training, world-class performances, tours, and five galleries showcasing arts and cultural exhibits of local, regional and national importance. Included is the Arbor Gallery; a retail cooperative of over 30 regional artists.

Renting Space at The Merced Multicultural Arts Center

Located within five blocks of highway 99 in the center of the San Joaquin Valley and in the heart of a revitalized Downtown Merced, The Merced Multicultural Arts Center offers a wide variety of classroom, conference, and general meeting spaces to meet all of your personal or professional facility needs. The Arts Center boasts 9 modular class/conference rooms as adaptable to a ballet or watercolor class as for a management seminar or deposition.

For larger meetings and events the Multicultural Arts Center offers its 2,400 square foot black box theater. This unique, modular event space can be arranged to accommodate a variety of floor plans. With its 2000 watt pro sound system and state of the art lighting rig, the theater can house your next private or business event as easily as it can showcase world class performers.

The Architectural Award winning Merced Multicultural Arts Center is conveniently located just blocks away from overnight lodgings and within walking distance of The Merced Visitor Bureau and Merced Transpo-Center, as well as several popular downtown eateries.

Make your next business meeting or private event a creative, unique, elegant, and memorable experience and support area arts programs at the same time; have it at The Merced Multicultural Arts Center.

Merced Multicultural Arts Center Rental Form
This form is the "Agreement for the use of the Facilities" you will need for renting space at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.

MCAC Use Policy Agreement
This document is the "Merced Multicultural Arts Center Use Policy Agreement " you will need for renting space at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.

For availability and rates contact the Merced County Arts Council’s Operations Director at 209-388-1090 or email at stage@artsmerced.org.