ABOUT
VISION: The leader in providing creative experiences that bring people together.
MISSION: To impact lives in an inclusive, fun, and innovative environment.
VALUES: High Quality & Excellence; Exceptional Customer Experience; Collaboration; Innovation; Fun
EQUITY STATEMENT: At Walnut Creek Arts + Rec, we recognize that implicit and explicit disparities exist due to historical and systemic barriers to equality. We believe we can support a more equitable community by uniting people through shared experiences. We aspire to intentionally learn, create, and grow together with our community. We strive to foster a diverse and reflective staff that propels our efforts toward accessible, inclusive, and culturally meaningful arts and recreation experiences.
Join Walnut Creek Arts + Rec!
We’re looking for enthusiastic, creative, and community oriented people to join our team. Flexible schedules, night and weekend shifts available. Apply today for available positions.
|
View the Arts + Rec Strategic Plan and Annual Report The nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $36.1 million industry in Walnut Creek! |
More About the Department
The Arts + Rec Department, directed by Kevin Safine, oversees Aquatics, the Bedford Gallery, the Boundary Oak Golf Course, Center for Community Arts, the Lesher Center for the Arts, the Public Art Program, Recreation Services, and Social Services for seniors and physically and developmentally disabled youth and adults. Together our programs contribute to making Walnut Creek a regional destination. Our programs promote arts appreciation and personal enrichment, community engagement and volunteerism, and fitness and wellness. They also contribute to the City's overall economic vitality.
Aquatics
The Aquatics Program operates and maintains the Clarke and Larkey Aquatics Centers, which host hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for programs that include recreational swimming, lap swimming, swim lessons, water exercise, and lifeguard training.
Bedford Gallery
Bedford Gallery, located in the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Drive), exhibits the work of historic, modern and contemporary artists. The Gallery is dedicated to providing the public with opportunities to learn about visual arts through public programs that are varied, accessible, challenging and educational. Among many programs offered at the Gallery, youth tours welcome over 2,000 children each year from school groups (grades K-12), scout troops, camps, clubs and other youth groups.
Boundary Oak Golf Course
Boundary Oak Golf Course boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, a driving range and practice area with putting and chipping greens, and is the perfect venue for golf tournaments, weddings, banquets, golf lessons, clinics and camps.
Center for Community Arts
For more than 50 years, the City of Walnut Creek's Center for Community Arts (formerly Civic Arts Education) program has been the regional center of arts learning. The division brings high-quality visual and performing arts instruction and educational experiences to participants of all ages. Courses stimulate creative thought and encourage self-expression, and are offered at two locations: the Shadelands Art Center at 111 N. Wiget, and downtown at Civic Park at 1313 Civic Drive.
Center Repertory Company
Center Repertory Company is the resident, professional theatre company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. This multiple award-winning company produces 6-8 productions each year from September through June – a variety of classic and contemporary musicals, dramas and comedies. In addition, Center REP runs the Young REP Theatre Workshop, an intensive 6-week training program for youth taught by professional theatre practitioners. Center REP is recognized as one the finest mid-sized professional theatres in the Bay Area.
Lesher Center for the Arts
For more than 25 years, the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Drive) has engaged the community with annual presentations of drama, dance, theater, music, newsmakers and comedy. The Center includes the 800-seat Hofmann Theatre, the 300-seat Margaret Lesher Theatre and the 130-seat Vukasin Theatre. The Center is also home to the City’s own professional Center Repertory Company and many other local performance groups.
Public Art Program
Walnut Creek officially adopted its Public Art Program in 2000. Since the program’s inception, artwork has been installed at Olympia Plaza, Ygnacio Center, the Corners, City Hall Plaza, the new Downtown Library and more. Bedford Gallery docents offer guided walking tours of Walnut Creek's prime public art works located around downtown. Tours start at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month.
Recreation & Social Services
Recreation Services provides a variety of recreation programs and classes for pre-school ages to active adults, including personal enrichment, dance and movement, science and nature, sports, fashion and beauty, and food and cooking. The division also enriches the lives of seniors and physically and developmentally disabled youth and adults by providing relevant and stimulating programs and services.