Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College (commonly known on campus as the "PAC") offers an architecturally dynamic environment for artistic presentations in the Hudson Valley. The Frank Gehry–designed center provides audiences with performances and programs in orchestral, chamber, and jazz music and theater, dance, and opera by American and international artists.
Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the 110,000 square foot (10,000 m²) Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College houses two theaters; four rehearsal studios for dance, theater, and music; and professional support facilities. The total cost of the project reached $62 million.
Sosnoff Theater, an intimate, 900 seat theater with an orchestra, parterre, and two balcony sections, features an orchestra pit for opera and an acoustic shell designed by Yasuhisa Toyota that turns the theater into a concert hall for performances of chamber and symphonic music.
The flexible 200 seat Theater Two houses Bard’s Theater and Dance Programs during the academic year. The Fisher Center is also the home of the Bard Music Festival, entering its 16th season in August 2005, hosting companies from the United States and abroad during Bard SummerScape, a festival of opera, theater, and dance.
The PAC is devoted primarily to teaching and college events during the academic year and used as a public performing arts facility and venue for the college’s graduate programs in the arts during the summer months.