Harris Center has brought performing arts to Folsom for 15 years

The Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College was developed to serve as an educational facility and a regional performing arts venue for the greater Sacramento area. Originally envisioned as a space to support instruction in visual and performing arts, the project expanded in scope following a 2003 feasibility study. That study confirmed the need for a larger, more comprehensive center that could also accommodate professional performances and serve the surrounding community. In 2004, the Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees approved the project proposal and submitted it to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office for funding consideration in the 2005-06 state budget. The project ultimately secured financial support through a combination of sources, including a State Educational Facilities General Obligation Bond, local Measure A funds, district resources and private donations through the Folsom Lake College Foundation. Construction on the $50 million facility began in July 2008. The center officially opened in February 2011 under the name "Three Stages at Folsom Lake College," reflecting its multi-venue design. The facility quickly established itself as a significant cultural destination, drawing more than 300,000 patrons within its first two full seasons of operation. In August 2012, the Los Rios Board of Trustees approved renaming the facility to the Harris Center for the Arts. The new name honors Chancellor Emeritus Brice Harris, who played a key role in expanding the Los Rios District and supporting the development of Folsom Lake College. Harris, along with then-college president Thelma Scott-Skillman, was instrumental in advancing the vision of a regional performing arts center tied to the college. The Harris Center received several major recognitions early in its operation. It earned the Community Impact award from the Sacramento Business Journal for its economic and educational contributions, including projections that it would generate millions in local revenue and support nearby businesses. In 2011, it was named Project of the Year by Region Builders, citing its design, construction quality and long-term impact. Its marketing campaign also received top honors from the International Association of Business Communicators, and in 2012 it was recognized by the Arts and Business Council of Sacramento for excellence in arts management. Today, the Harris Center hosts more than 400 public events annually and attracts more than 150,000 patrons each year. It continues to function as an instructional resource for Folsom Lake College students and a major performing arts venue for the region, fulfilling its original dual purpose.