Our Plan

Give Voice is a fundraising effort to raise an initial $27M toward the renovation of the Center for the Arts Concert Hall and supporting spaces. This initiative is a part of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason University’s billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship.

• ​​​​​​​The Center for the Arts venue opened in 1990, and it is no longer a match for the growth and evolution we have experienced—and what we envision. Our community’s dreams are bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever. Our moment to make those dreams come alive is now.
• The Center is a critical academic resource serving George Mason students, which has increased exponentially since the Center was built. We need to meet the technological needs of the students as well as the professional artists of today and tomorrow.
• George Mason University’s reimagination of the Center for the Arts reaches beyond renovation; it is a transformation that will amplify the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and unite our community. By reimagining the Center for the 21st century, we are creating a space where innovation meets tradition, where accessibility meets excellence, and where every voice can be heard and celebrated.
• Serving as a lab for students and providing rich opportunities for interaction with professionals, the Center is a cultural and educational hub. The increase in Artist-in-Residence programming and other community engagement opportunities requires the creation of additional rehearsal and classroom spaces.
• Over time, we've received valuable feedback about improvements that would make the space more comfortable and enjoyable. More information about the specific upgrades is provided with the question below.

This initiative will:

• Reshape the Concert Hall to enhance our acoustic and technological capability, and create a more welcoming and accessible environment, with center aisles on both the Orchestra and Balcony levels, better sightlines, and improved aesthetics.
• Remodel the lobby to create new, inviting spaces for performances and gallery exhibitions, as well as enhanced café/bar service and Ticket Office reception areas.
• Expand our teaching and rehearsal spaces with new studio, classroom, and community spaces.
• Build and dedicate a new donor lounge and donor hospitality area.
• Expand restrooms and add a second elevator.

Yes, we plan for the Center to have two center aisles on both the Orchestra and Balcony levels.

The renovation will begin when sufficient funds have been raised for George Mason University to approve the process.

It is anticipated that the renovation will take approximately 18 months. Most likely, the process will start following the end of a spring semester and conclude approximately 18 months later.

The design team developed a comprehensive understanding of the existing facility’s condition, performance, and opportunities for transformation. The team led an intensive stakeholder engagement process including visioning workshops with the steering committee, focus groups with faculty, staff, community partners, donors, and students across disciplines including music, theater, dance, and production. They conducted site surveys with subject matter experts, acoustic testing, and a thorough technical assessment evaluating and documenting the current performance of the building’s systems and infrastructure. This resulted in a detailed project program, cost estimates, and new concept renderings.

• Build in theatrical technology and infrastructure with flexibility for performances and to support cutting-edge research.
• Create a welcoming, activated public space for students, patrons, and performers.
• Integrate accessibility and universal design to improve circulation.
• Provide support spaces for students, patrons, performers, and operators.
• Upgrade outdated building systems to ease operations
• Create a cohesive identity for the Center for the Arts that engages the campus and supports wayfinding.

Yes, the Center will continue to present professional artists as part of Great Performances at Mason and the Family Series as well as student performances during the renovation period. Performances will be held in a variety of Mason Arts venues including Harris Theatre on the Fairfax Campus and the Hylton Performing Arts Center on George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, in addition to other Northern Virginia partner venues to be announced at a later date.  

In recognition of their philanthropic leadership, the renovated venue will be renamed the Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans Center for the Arts. The use of this new name will begin with the official re-opening of the renovated venue.

• The goal for the Give Voice initiative is to raise partial funds toward the total project cost.
• As of May 2026, $20 million has been raised.
• Give Voice is part of Mason Now: Power the Possible—George Mason University’s first one-billion-dollar comprehensive fundraising campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship.
• Additional funds are anticipated to come from George Mason University.

Quinn Evans Architects completed its thorough needs assessment, planning study, and cost estimates for this exciting initiative in Spring 2026. The next step is approval from the University before an architect is chosen.

• ​​​​​​​The renovation will provide greater accessibility through the addition of two center aisles on the Orchestra and Balcony levels.
• Accessible seating will be enhanced in all areas of the auditorium.
• A new second elevator will be added on the House Right side of the Center’s main lobby.
• The restrooms will be expanded and designed to accommodate increased access. New restrooms will be added to the house right lobbies on the first and second floor.
• There will be access from inside the Center for the Arts lobby to TheatreSpace, the performance lab, and other spaces in the deLaski Performing Arts building.

No additional parking options are known at this time. Parking for the venue is managed by George Mason University. If parking offerings are anticipated to change with the modernization of the Center for the Arts, the venue will update parking guidelines as appropriate.

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Everyone can have a role in realizing this vision. It’s time to play your part. Contact us today to discuss your role or call 703-993-4188.

Create your or a loved one’s legacy and make your permanent mark on the Center for the Arts. Naming opportunities include recognizing a person or organization by naming a space within the Center for the Arts, or program endowment to support both the Give Voice capital initiative and the Center’s programming. To learn more about naming opportunities at the Center for the Arts, please email Susan Graziano, Senior Director of Development, or call 703-993-4188.

Leave a lasting legacy by naming a seat in our Concert Hall. There are a limited number of Orchestra and Balcony seats available. Make a gift online or contact us to reserve your named seat.

There are many ways to include philanthropic support of the Center for the Arts and Mason Arts in your estate plans through a planned gift—some which could even benefit you and/or your program of choice, including the Center for the Arts reimagination, during your lifetime. Bequests are just the tip of the iceberg. The Mason Arts development staff works closely with George Mason University's professional planned giving staff, as well as your own financial team, to determine which channel of planned giving is right for you. To learn more about planned giving, please email Susan Graziano, Senior Director of Development, or call 703-993-4188.