Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center

- 1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, managed by Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE), is a massive 95,000-square-foot facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, that serves as the premier hub for visual, performing, and culinary arts in Southwest Iowa. The center represents a stunning revitalization of the historic McCormick Harvesting Machine Company building, originally built in 1894, beautifully integrated with a new, state-of-the-art wing that includes a contemporary performance venue.

Far more than just an art gallery, the Hoff Center is a multi-use complex that houses several independent non-profit arts organizations, creating a vibrant ecosystem of creativity all under one roof. Its mission is to enrich, inspire, and energize the community by strengthening and promoting arts, culture, and connections. This collaborative environment offers Iowa residents an unprecedented access point to diverse artistic disciplines, from professional ballet to community theater and visual arts exhibitions.

The facility’s design is a feature in itself, blending the rustic brick, exposed beams, and vintage charm of the original warehouse with modern, meticulous finishes and spacious areas, providing a unique and highly photogenic backdrop for everything from art exhibitions to large-scale events.

The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center is centrally located in the historic Haymarket District of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Its location is a cornerstone for the district’s revitalization and serves as a cultural landmark easily reached by residents across the Council Bluffs and greater Omaha metropolitan area.

Physical Address: 1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA

The center is designed with a profound commitment to accessibility, ensuring that arts and culture are available to everyone in the community:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance (The main entrance is on the west side of the glass atrium)
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot (Main lot is across South 6th Street)
• Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities
• Wheelchair accessible seating within the performance spaces, such as the Polina & Bob Schlott Performing Arts Center

This dedication to inclusion ensures that all patrons, regardless of mobility needs, can comfortably attend performances, view gallery exhibits, and participate in classes.

As a comprehensive arts and cultural hub, the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center offers an expansive array of services and program types, driven by its resident organizations and managing entity, PACE:

• Visual Arts Exhibition and Gallery Space: Features rotating exhibitions of local and traveling artists in dedicated gallery areas, including the 4th Floor Gallery, which often provides stunning views of the downtown Omaha skyline.
• Performing Arts: Hosts a wide spectrum of live performances in the 280-seat Polina & Bob Schlott Performing Arts Center, including ballet, theater, and orchestral concerts.
• Educational Classes and Workshops: Offers hands-on learning for all ages, including ceramics, painting, music, sewing, theater, and adult lecture series.
• Ballet Training: Home to the American Midwest Ballet School, which provides professional-grade ballet education.
• Culinary Arts/Incubator: Houses the Kitchen Council, a non-profit incubator providing commercial-grade kitchen space, support, and resources for food service entrepreneurs and offering culinary arts classes.
• Event Rental Services: Offers multiple, versatile event spaces—including the historic McCormick's 1894 Bar and the spacious 4th Floor Gallery—for hosting weddings, corporate conferences, parties, and community gatherings.
• Artist Studios: Provides dedicated working studio spaces for resident artists, allowing the public to sometimes interact with creators.
• Archival Space: Offers secure space for historical preservation, including archival needs for local Pottawattamie County museums.

The unique combination of history, contemporary design, and community collaboration are the primary features that distinguish the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in the Iowa arts landscape.

• Historic and Architectural Significance: The facility is housed in the beautifully renovated and expanded McCormick Warehouse (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), successfully blending original exposed brick, wood beams, and steel with modern architectural elements.
• Hub for Multiple Organizations: It is the shared home for five major non-profit partners: Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE), American Midwest Ballet, Chanticleer Community Theater, Kanesville Symphony Orchestra, and the Kitchen Council, maximizing resources and cultural output.
• State-of-the-Art Performance Venue: Features the Polina & Bob Schlott Performing Arts Center, a contemporary 280-seat theater fully equipped with modern lighting and production capabilities for professional-level performances.
• Diverse Event Hosting: Praised as a fantastic wedding and event venue, offering large, customizable spaces with a “swanky, yet vintage vibe” and full services, including a bar and catering support.
• Fourth Friday Events: Hosts a popular recurring community event, "Fourth Friday," which features live music, pop-up dining, art exhibitions, and interactive hands-on classes, providing a dynamic cultural evening for locals.
• Grant Wood Murals: The building is known to be home to a number of works by the renowned Iowa artist Grant Wood.
• Dedicated Art Gallery: Features the Anne & John P Nelson Gallery and other exhibit spaces for both permanent collections and rotating shows, providing a consistent display of visual arts.

For Iowans seeking information about attending a show, registering for a class, booking an event, or visiting the art gallery, the contact details for the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center are provided below.

Address: 1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA

Phone: (712) 890-5600

Mobile Phone: +1 712-890-5600

The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center should be the primary destination for any Iowan or Southwest Iowa resident seeking a deep, diverse, and high-quality cultural experience. It is worth choosing for several key reasons:

• A Cultural One-Stop Shop: No other single location in the region consolidates professional-level ballet (American Midwest Ballet), community theater (Chanticleer), symphonic music (Kanesville Symphony), art galleries, and culinary education (Kitchen Council) under one roof, providing unparalleled access and convenience.
• Historic Atmosphere and Modern Functionality: The combination of the beautifully preserved 1894 warehouse with state-of-the-art modern facilities offers an inspiring environment that honors Iowa's past while fostering its creative future. The spacious, meticulous design makes every visit feel special.
• Engagement for All Ages and Interests: With classes ranging from visual arts and ceramics to a teaching kitchen, and performances suitable for the whole family—such as the acclaimed annual production of The Nutcracker—the center truly serves as an education and entertainment hub for the entire community.
• Commitment to Accessibility: The extensive features for accessibility, including accessible entrances, parking, seating, and restrooms, make the Hoff Center a welcoming and convenient place for all members of the community to enjoy the arts.

For Iowa locals, the Hoff Center is more than a building; it is the living, breathing heart of arts and culture in Council Bluffs, offering endless opportunities to be inspired, educated, and entertained.

Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center

1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA