About Us
Staff & Board of Directors
Executive Director - Marietta Burke
Office Manager - Kelcie Bagley
Executive Assistant - Angela Isenhour
Board of Directors: April Wallace - Chairperson,
Mark Pennell - Vice Chairperson, Gina McWhirter - Secretary, Linda Campbell, Fran Little , Marvin Bentley, Jimmy Yancey, Brian Smith
Mission Statement
The Newton Performing Arts Center, formerly Newton-Conover Auditorium, contributes to the economic, cultural, and social well-being of Catawba County by providing a place for the community to take part in arts education and performance. This is a 501(c)3 Non Profit organization.
• Provides space for cultural, visual, and performing arts;
• Provides competent and professional staff to oversee operations;
• Offers a state of the art performance facility;
• Obtains funding through public, private, and government sectors to maintain the facility.
History
In the late 1980’s, a Task Force was established to study the need for an auditorium to serve the citizens of eastern Catawba County. At the same time, the former Newton-Conover High School auditorium was in a state of benign neglect and was being abused by those who were using the facility. Yet it was the conclusion of the consulting architect that it was a hidden gem which could be restored into a magnificent venue for the community.
For a variety of reasons, it was decided that formation of a non-profit corporation, all of whose board members would be appointed by governmental entities, would be the best structure for governance of the new auditorium. Financing was to be by a public-private partnership. Three governmental units agreed to participate as follows: the City of Newton, $400,000; Catawba County, $200,000; and the Newton-Conover City School Administrative Unit, $50,000, largely in-kind. A ninety-nine year lease of the auditorium, together with ancillary facilities, was obtained for the protection of the public and the participating governmental units.
This $650,000 was combined with $900,000 contributed by businesses, individuals, and foundations, primarily from Catawba County, to form the fund which was used to preserve, restore, and remodel the building into the magnificent art-deco facility which we enjoy today and of which we are so proud. Newton Performing Arts Center, formerly Newton-Conover Auditorium is a 501(c)3 Non Profit organization.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission. NCA is a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization.
