Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE)

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

Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE) is the driving force behind the cultural renaissance in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the broader Southwest Iowa region. Acting as the managing entity and umbrella organization for multiple non-profit arts partners, PACE has created a dynamic, sustainable cultural community centered at the remarkable Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center.

The facility, a stunning blend of the historic 1894 McCormick Warehouse and a contemporary new wing, is far more than a traditional art gallery. It is a 95,000-square-foot, multi-disciplinary cultural hub where art, education, performance, and history converge. PACE’s core mission is to enrich, inspire, and energize the community by supporting arts, culture, and connections, ensuring that high-quality artistic experiences are accessible to everyone in Pottawattamie County.

Visitors to the center can explore diverse art exhibitions, attend world-class ballet performances, enjoy community theater productions, and even engage in culinary arts workshops. The collaborative environment under the PACE banner means that a single visit can offer a rich and varied cultural experience, solidifying the center's role as the artistic heart of the community. As one local enthusiastically noted, they have enjoyed "the theater, ballet, food entrepreneurs, gallery space and so much more," a testament to the diverse offerings available.

PACE operates out of the beautifully designed Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, a prominent fixture in Council Bluffs' historic Haymarket District. Its strategic location makes it easily accessible to residents throughout the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area, serving as a beacon of culture in Southwest Iowa.

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

The facility is strongly committed to ensuring that arts and culture are available to all Iowans, with comprehensive accessibility features:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, designed to provide easy access for all patrons.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot and the availability of free street parking nearby, making transit convenient.
• Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities throughout the center.
• Dedicated accessible seating in the Polina & Bob Schlott Performing Arts Center and other venues.

Furthermore, parking is simplified for visitors with both a dedicated free parking lot on-site and the option of free street parking, ensuring a stress-free experience from arrival to departure.

As the primary steward of the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, PACE offers a vast range of services that extend far beyond a typical art gallery, providing a comprehensive cultural experience:

• Visual Arts Exhibitions and Galleries: Management of gallery spaces like the Anne & John P. Nelson Gallery, featuring a mix of permanent exhibits (including the historic Grant Wood exhibit, "Early Days of Kanesville") and rotating shows by local and regional artists.
• Live Performance Hosting: The center hosts professional-grade performances from its resident partners, including the American Midwest Ballet, Chanticleer Community Theater, and the Kanesville Symphony Orchestra, within the 280-seat Polina & Bob Schlott Performing Arts Center.
• Arts Education and Children's Programs: Offering an extensive calendar of classes and workshops for youth and adults in various disciplines, such as painting, pottery (like the Teen Pottery Wheel Series), theater, and integrated creative technology (Tech Art Explorers).
• Event Venue Rentals: Providing multiple stunning and flexible spaces for private events, including weddings, banquets, and corporate conferences, featuring a full-service bar and on-site support.
• Culinary Arts Support: Co-locating and supporting Kitchen Council, a non-profit food business incubator that offers commercial kitchen space and culinary education, often providing catering services for on-site events.
• Artist Studio Residency: Housing dedicated studio spaces for resident visual artists, fostering creativity and providing an opportunity for public interaction with working artists.
• Community Arts Promotion: Serving as a centralized hub for fundraising, marketing, and shared resources to strengthen, develop, and promote arts and cultural organizations throughout Pottawattamie County.

The blend of historical reverence and modern artistic energy are the most distinguishing features of the PACE-managed Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, making it a truly unique Iowa cultural destination:

• The Hoff Center Architecture: The complex masterfully combines the rustic, vintage character of the original 1894 McCormick Warehouse—with its exposed brick and original structural elements—with a contemporary glass and steel addition that houses the modern theater.
• The Richard & Deanna Miller Grant Wood Gallery: A major highlight is the permanent exhibit featuring the historic 1927 Grant Wood painting, "Early Days of Kanesville," offering Iowans a deep connection to their state's artistic heritage.
• Home to Artistic Excellence: The facility serves as the shared home for several premier arts organizations, including the professional American Midwest Ballet and the celebrated Chanticleer Community Theater, ensuring a steady stream of high-quality performances.
• The McCormick's 1894 Bar & Cafe: A full-service bar that complements the center's event spaces and provides a social gathering point, often featuring menus crafted by the innovative local food entrepreneurs from the Kitchen Council.
• The Iowa West Event Venue: A spacious, flexible event area accommodating up to 280 guests for banquets, offering a historic setting, audio-visual capabilities, and an adjacent wrap-around patio.
• PACE's Educational Focus: The organization's strong commitment to education is evident in its youth programming, such as the "Junior Masters" exhibition for young artists, and classes that fuse art with technology and science.

To learn more about current gallery exhibits, purchase tickets for an upcoming performance, or inquire about event venue rentals, please use the following contact details for Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE) at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center:

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

Phone: (712) 890-5600

Mobile Phone: +1 712-890-5600

For residents of Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa looking for unparalleled cultural engagement, choosing to visit or support Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE) is an investment in the local community's vibrancy. It is worth choosing for the following definitive reasons:

• The True Cultural Crossroads: PACE offers a unique platform where all major arts—visual art, ballet, theater, orchestra, and culinary creation—are housed in a single, convenient location, maximizing your cultural exposure in one visit. It’s a "beautiful facility" where you can enjoy the theater, gallery, and food entrepreneurs all in one evening.
• Supporting Local Artistic Ecosystems: By operating as the central hub for its resident partner organizations, PACE ensures the financial and creative stability of critical local non-profits, directly strengthening the artistic community in Pottawattamie County.
• A Unique Historic and Aesthetic Experience: The sheer beauty and historical significance of the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, from its Grant Wood mural to the exposed brick of the McCormick's 1894 Bar, provide a backdrop that elevates any event or visit beyond the ordinary.
• Commitment to Public Access: With free parking, excellent on-site services, and a comprehensive commitment to full wheelchair accessibility, PACE is dedicated to ensuring that financial or physical barriers do not prevent Iowans from experiencing the enriching power of art and culture.
• Education and Engagement Focus: From youth art classes to adult lecture series, PACE actively promotes hands-on creation and learning, ensuring that the center is not just a place to observe art, but a place to create it.

Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE)

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