ABSTRACT
As discussed in all the chapters of this book, virtually all performing arts centers (PACs) are community-based and serve the public interest. For senior executives of performing arts centers, mandates for venue management include diverse responsibilities like supporting local resident companies, programming additional performing arts presentations for the community, and engaging in community education and outreach initiatives. Senior staff responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management and operations for the PAC report to some kind of governance entity, which may or may not be the same entity that actually “owns” the PAC facility. A community’s performing arts center is accountable to the public, but the primary oversight-that is, the ownership and governance-of the center can take many different organizational forms. Decisions made in establishing the structure of ownership and governance of the PAC-the umbrella organization-will significantly influence decisions made in establishing the structure of management and operations of the PAC.
