Long Center
Long Center Staff
Cory Baker

President & CEO of the Long Center

A Word from Cory

Wow, 2024 has been a year of once-in-a-lifetime moments here at the Long Center! As you take a moment to explore our impact this year, I hope you get a sense of how we’ve dedicated ourselves to building community through the very creative spirit that makes Austin so special.

But it takes so much more to keep our creative community thriving, and that’s where you come in. With your support for the Soul of Austin, we can do all this and more in 2025.

Wow, 2024 has been a year of once-in-a-lifetime moments here at the Long Center! As you take a moment to explore our impact this year, I hope you get a sense of how we’ve dedicated ourselves to building community through the very creative spirit that makes Austin so special.

But it takes so much more to keep our creative community thriving, and that’s where you come in. With your support for the Soul of Austin, we can do all this and more in 2025.

Make Your Year-End Gift Today

2024 at a Glance

Shows Presented

315+
Inside, outside, and on our 3D-printed pavilion! We celebrated local music, dance, visual arts, theatre, and everything in between.

Artists Supported

475+
From Austin's local rising stars to international headliners and beyond – we got you.

Free Community Events

20
Including another stellar season of The Drop-In and an unbelievable 2nd Annual Community Day, we welcomed over 22,000 folks for free events!

Photo: Jim Chapin

In the Community

Community Partners

35
We hope you found a new place to volunteer, a cause to support, or a way to feel closer to your neighbors.

Subsidized Rental Discounts

$526K
One of the most important things we do is make space accessible to the wide variety of organizations that make Austin what it is.

Founding Resident Company Performances

78
The Long Center was created to be the permanent home of the Austin Symphony, Austin Opera, and Ballet Austin, and we’re proud to make their seasons shine.

Photo:  Brynn Osborn

Support Our Work

Here at the Long Center, creativity isn’t just a way of life, it’s a livelihood. That’s why we’re proud to be Austin’s go-to spot for performances, music, movies, hangouts, festivals, and countless other interests. With your support for the Soul of Austin, we can do all this and more together in 2025!

Make Your Year-End Gift

Total Grant Pool

$21M +
Through our partnership with the City of Austin, we administer and manage 5 key cultural funding initiatives.

Total 2024 Grant Awards

481
Including artists, non-profits, musicians, historic sites, and creative businesses.

Through Create Austin we’re extending our mission even further beyond our stages and into the community to find new ways to serve Austin artists and strengthen our entire creative ecosystem.

Photo: Brynn Osborn

Photo: Brynn Osborn

Event Highlight

Total Eclipse Watch Party

In partnership with Simons Foundation, we celebrated the first total solar eclipse in Austin, TX, since 1397! Hosted by Radiolab’s Molly Webster with a soundtrack by Austin composer Graham Reynolds, folks from all over engaged with astronomers and celebrated the intersection of science & art together as a community.

By the Numbers

The Drop-In

Total Free Tickets

13,710
We love this program because it's free, and that means we can keep local music accessible to all Austinites. Thanks for another unforgettable Drop-In season.

Artists Supported

103
That’s across 12 shows and 22 bands! Austin has a lot of artistic voices, and The Drop-In aims to highlight them all.

Photo: Brynn Osborn

Support Our Work

Austin lives and breathes on creativity, and it’s our mission to support, uplift, and encourage that work all year-round. Your year-end gift helps bring accessible arts, experiences, and crticial opportunities to all of Austin’s communities.

Make Your Year-End Gift

Heller Awards for Young Artists

Student Participants

3,300
From the back of the house to the front, and everything in between. The HAYAs celebrate each participating student's contributions on the red carpet.

Teachers Supported

84
Across 18 school districts and all the artistic disciplines that combine together to make musical theatre magic.

Participating Schools

37
37 high schools participated in the Heller Awards free of charge, creating a one-of-a-kind creative community.

Photo: Henry Huey 

Photo: Gary Miller

Event Highlight
Austin City Limits

50th Birthday Bash

Willie Nelson made his highly anticipated return to ACL TV on the anniversary of the pilot taping, commemorating Austin City Limits’ remarkable half-century run. It was a Texas-sized outdoor concert on the lawn & 3D-printed stage at the Long Center, along with Austin originals, Asleep at the Wheel.

Teresa Lozano Long Community Day

Partner Organizations

35
Every organization that has been a crucial part of the Long Center's story & future. We're adding to the list daily.

Attendees

2,100+
You made this year's Community Day even bigger! Let's see what more we can explore next year.

Performances

14
Free performances in a range of scope & size, from Ballet Austin's Rhythm on Stage in Dell Hall, to the kids' drum circle by Creative Action.

Artists & Performers

41
We love this number! The Long Center is the only place in town where you can see 41 artists & performers in one day. For free.

Photo: Brynn Osborn

There you have it — at the Long Center, this year has been all about strengthening partnerships, innovating how we support creatives, and celebrating what makes Austin, Austin. But we couldn’t do it without you! Thanks for all you’ve done to support the Soul of Austin this year. We can’t wait to continue this work with you!
Make Your Year-End Gift
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Show Your Support

There are so many ways you can show your support of the Long Center and all that we do! If you’ve made your gift or have joined us for an unforgettable experience this year, spreading the word on social media or telling your friends is the most important thing you can do to make sure our impact continues into 2025 and beyond. Thank you!

The Long Center for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization located in Austin, Texas.
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Support the Soul of Austin with a Gift Today

Here at the Long Center, we believe that creativity is the center of community. That’s why we’re proud to be Austin’s go-to spot for countless interests that bring the community together. Your donation to the Long Center this season doesn’t just support this work, it celebrates it!

GIVE TODAY

We’re not just about moments like these… we’re also a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the creativity they create! On this Giving Tuesday, we want to thank you for all the support you’ve given the Long Center in 2024. Your year-end gift today will help us do even more in 2025! 

DONATE TODAY

Too stuffed for savings? Get $20 tickets to select shows at the LC! Get ’em now before the sale ends on Cyber Monday 12/2 at 11:59pm

SEE TICKETS

Go all out — take advantage of our Black Friday sale NOW by getting a Friend Level Membership for only $95! These year-round benefits usually start at $120.

Year-End Gift 2023 | Long Center
Your Support Today, Transforms Tomorrow

We’ve made it our mission to support creativity in all its forms, and we hope this season you’ll join us and do the same. Your donation doesn’t just support our work, it’s a declaration that creativity belongs to everyone. 

Give Today

LEVEL UP YOUR DROP-IN

Become a LC member today and and get first dibs on RSVP before the public, early entrance into the venue for you and your guests, members-only bars, and other surprises!

JOIN TODAY

Amplify Austin is here – and we need your help to provide free arts experiences for K-12 students through our Long Reach for the Arts program.  Because the kids need art! 

Donate Now