Shared Arts Center opens in San Jose, transforming downtown cultural landscape

On August 26, 2026, the Shared Arts Center of San Jose celebrated its grand opening, marking a significant milestone for the community and a new chapter in downtown San Jose’s cultural landscape. Located at 99 Notre Dame Avenue and 92 Sharks Way, the center serves as a collaborative arts campus, offering a wide range of creative spaces and programs.

The event, attended by local leaders and arts advocates, was officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Vice Mayor Pam Foley, Councilmembers Michael Mulcahy and Anthony Tordillos, along with Starting Arts Executive Director Ann Watts and SWENSON CEO Case Swenson, were among those present to celebrate the occasion.

During the opening festivities, attendees toured the newly renovated facilities and participated in interactive arts classes led by professional teaching artists. The programming showcased the diverse range of artistic experiences that the center will provide, including theater, dance, music, and visual arts.

The Shared Arts Center is expected to serve as a hub for arts education and community engagement, transforming a long-unused property into a vibrant cultural space. Situated at a strategic location between San Pedro Square, Little Italy, and the downtown business and entertainment districts, the center aims to revitalize the area and foster connections among surrounding neighborhoods.

Ann Watts, Executive Director of Starting Arts, expressed the organization’s commitment to making the arts accessible to all. "Today, we celebrate the realization of a vision that has been years in the making," Watts said. "The Shared Arts Center is a testament to the belief that arts are essential for learning, community building, and city life. We are deeply grateful to our partners, including SWENSON, for making this vision a reality."

The center spans 25,500 square feet and is designed to accommodate over 10,000 students, artists, organizations, and community members annually. It features rehearsal and practice spaces for theater, dance, and music, as well as shared creative facilities. Future plans include the addition of a state-of-the-art black box theater with seating for more than 300 people.

SWENSON, the company that led the transformation of the buildings, emphasized the importance of the project. "Seeing the Shared Arts Center open its doors and quickly becoming a vibrant part of the community is incredibly rewarding," said Case Swenson, CEO of SWENSON. "We are proud to have partnered on a space that will inspire and connect our downtown community for years to come."

The Shared Arts Center is home to several organizations, including Starting Arts, Silicon Valley Shakespeare, ArtHouse Studio, Los Lupeños, and South Bay Guitar Society. Additional organizations are expected to join as the campus and its programming continue to grow.

The grand opening was marked by remarks from local officials, community leaders, and representatives from SWENSON. Among the attendees were Kelsey Combellick, representing Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong; Chris Shay, Senior Vice President of Sharks Sports & Entertainment; Brian Kurtz, CEO of the San Jose Downtown Association; and Alexandra Urbanowski, CEO of SVCREATES.

Starting Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000, is dedicated to making arts education accessible to all students in the Bay Area, with a focus on under-served youth in Title 1 schools. The organization currently serves over 40,000 TK-12 grade students in 115 schools across 18 school districts.

For more information on upcoming classes, performances, facility use, and community programming, visit the Shared Arts Center's website at [www.startingarts.com/capital-campaign](http://www.startingarts.com/capital-campaign).