Norris Cultural Arts Center Looks to Resume Live Events in Fall

St. Charles, June 3, 2020 – The Norris Cultural Arts Center today announced it expects to resume live events in the Fall and plans to reopen its art gallery in July.

The organization postponed seven events that had been scheduled in March, April and May, and had closed the art gallery in mid-March, due to the Covid-19 shutdown.

The Norris recently extended its physical presence by furnishing the historic Baker Community Center with theatrical lighting and sound systems, and had begun presenting a variety of concerts and events at the culturally significant venue in the heart of St. Charles.

“While uncertainty remains, we are committed to resuming our leadership role within the local cultural arts community,” said James L. Collins, chairman, Norris Cultural Arts Center. “As we solidify our plans for events and exhibits, we assure the community that we will always place the well-being of our patrons, guests, artists, performers, and partners above all else.”

Collins detailed various elements of The Norris re-opening plan:

• Rescheduling of postponed events. The Norris expects to announce new dates soon for postponed “Saturday Night Lights” concerts and “Wednesdays @ One” programs at the Baker Center, and a Sunday afternoon “Music – and More – in the Gallery” event in the Norris Gallery.
• New events at the Baker Center, including participation in the September 11 – 13 Jazz Weekend event produced by the St. Charles Business Alliance, as well as two Christmas season events.
• A full 2021 Winter-Spring season of events at both the Baker Center and The Norris.
• Reopening (tentatively set for July 1) of the Norris gallery and an extension of the Watercolor 2020 exhibit through mid-August.
• A full 2020-2021 season of art gallery exhibits.
• A full 2020-2021 season of performances by the Fox Valley Concert Band.

Additionally, The Norris is working on creating Innovative, engaging online content through the Summer, into the Fall and beyond, helping to bridge the gap between seasons of events open for public attendance, while providing program content in ways that satisfy differing needs of audience members.

For the latest information on specific programs and events, visit www.NorrisCulturalArts.com, or follow The Norris on Facebook and Instagram.

Health and safety preparedness

The Norris said it will observe rigorous sanitation, disinfecting, and cleaning standards, including routine cleaning and sanitization of public spaces – the theater, gallery, lobby area, restrooms, and administrative office – and will observe best practices for health, hygiene, and social distancing.

Acknowledging that its operations will respond to evolving conditions, The Norris said it will incorporate into its plans updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the City of St. Charles, the St. Charles Park District, and Community Unit School District 303.

Patron engagement

“We look forward to creating new ways of engaging with our audience and supporters, to respond to their concerns and expectations, and to involve them in the process of re-opening our venues for public events,” Collins said.

“Over the years, The Norris has changed and grown with the times while staying true to the vision and mission of our founders, Dellora and Lester Norris, to provide the finest cultural arts experiences to audiences and patrons of all ages and from all walks of life.

“We look forward to the time when we can get together again with our friends, patrons and supporters – knowing the arts will continue to inspire and unite us.”

Opened in 1978, the Norris Cultural Arts Center is located on the east side of St. Charles on the Norris Campus, which also includes St. Charles East High School.