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The Christopher Cohan Center (Cal Poly)
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Our magnificent performing arts center is the result of a partnership and a true
spirit of cooperation between California Polytechnic State University, the City of San
Luis Obispo and the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center. The vision came into focus
in November, 1986 when these three partners entered into a unique agreement to do what no
single entity could do alone — build a state-of-the-art performing arts center to
serve the greater San Luis Obispo community.
From the beginning it was
recognized that through partnership it was possible to accomplish what none could do
alone. It was believed that the people of our area and visitors to our community deserved
a special facility devoted to the enrichment of lives through the quality presentation of
arts and cultural activities.
During the course of the center's planning, it
was decided to incorporate the existing 498-seat Cal Poly Theatre and to call the entire
complex the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo.The new
facility, featuring a concert hall with 1,289 seats, the pavilion — a multi-purpose
venue, and a 180-seat recital hall, was named the Christopher Cohan
Center.Cohan's family ties to San Luis Obispo date back to the early days of
television. His father, the late John Cohan, was president and part owner of television
station KSBY and radio station KVEC from 1955 until his death in 1974. Christopher Cohan
resided in San Luis Obispo from the 1970s until 1982 and was the president of Sonic
Communications. In 1990, Cohan made a gift of $2.1 million on the eve of the inauguration
of the capital campaign for the center's construction. It was the largest single gift to
any individual California State University campus. Cohan was recognized in the naming of
the new center in 1996.
Construction on the Cohan Center began in the spring
of 1994 and a weeklong festival opening was celebrated in September 1996. The facility is
dedicated to many people who, through their vision and effort, brought this Center into
existence, and to those who will use and enjoy the facility long into the future.
