The first time in a theater - when the lights dim and the performance begins - leaves a lasting impression. At the Pioneer Center, we see the full circle of how live performance creates meaningful experiences across generations.

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cultivating exceptional performing arts experience in our historic downtown Reno venue and across the region. As you plan your annual giving, we invite you to make an unrestricted, tax-deductible gift in support of our non-profit.

You may know the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts as the home of Broadway Comes to Reno, where thousands gather beneath our golden dome each season to experience the thrill of live theater. But beyond the marquee lights, the Pioneer Center is also where performing arts memories are created and shared across generations.

Each year, Pioneer Center Youth Programs (PCYP) spark the imagination of thousands of Nevada students—many in rural and underserved communities—by bringing the performing arts directly to their schools, libraries, and community centers.

For many, it’s their first encounter with the magic of a live performance. Last year alone, PCYP reached more than 23,000 students through 100 performances across nine Nevada counties and, for the first time, into California’s Eastern Sierra. In total, 15,676 students and families in rural communities—from Winnemucca to Gerlach to Tahoe’s Zephyr Cove—experienced the joy and wonder of the performing arts close to home.

That same sense of connection continues later in life through our Golden Encore Program, bringing music, dance, and theater to senior centers and care facilities. Last season, Golden Encore reached more than 1,900 older adults through 88 performances—moments that rekindle memories, inspire movement, and bring joy to residents across our region.

From a child discovering the stage for the first time to a senior revisiting cherished melodies from years past, the Pioneer Center ensures that the performing arts remain a lifelong source of connection and memory. Across generations, our programs create shared experiences that remind us that the arts truly are for everyone.

Thank you for helping us to continue our vital community service and preserving the historic Pioneer Center as the premier performing arts destination for Nevadans of all generations.

Organization and Facility

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is the premier performing arts facility in northern Nevada, operating continuously since opening for business in 1968. Located in the heart of downtown Reno, we are a private 501(c)(3) cultural organization that both owns and operates our 55,000 square foot facility. Our venue houses a 1,500-seat mainstage proscenium auditorium and other event spaces. The facility is listed on the National, Nevada State, and City of Reno Registers of Historic Places. We are a member of the League of Historic American Theatres and The Broadway League.

Our Mission

To cultivate exceptional performing arts experiences in our historic venue and throughout the region

Our Vision

A community that is connected, enriched, and inspired through the power of live performance

Our Values

• We are all stronger together. As the region’s leading performing arts center, we maximize our impact by fostering collaboration with other arts organizations and actively practicing the power of partnership.
• The arts are for everyone. We are dedicated to presenting a broad range of high-quality programming that reflects and celebrates the diversity of the human experience. We strive to provide arts access in an environment where all people feel respected and welcome.
• Education is fundamental to a thriving community. The arts strengthen educational outcomes and inspire creative, compassionate citizens. We are committed to facilitating and providing dynamic arts education opportunities.
• We are stewards of a cultural treasure. We honor our responsibility to the community and to future generations by adhering to the highest standards of integrity and sustainability in the preservation of our historic building and in our business practices.

End of Year Giving Campaign