Arts Education Programs at McAninch Arts Center
McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
About
Arts Education Programs at McAninch Arts Center include activities such as MAC Chats, Common Ground Conversations, school outreach programs, intimate meet-and-greets, master classes, lectures, demonstrations, and family-oriented programming. The programs also feature SchoolStage series theatrical and musical performances, educational theater, music and dance programs, long-term artist residencies, one-day workshops, seminars, lecture demonstrations, and produced and presented programs, along with FREE outdoor concerts that include pop music.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Box Office open Tuesday–Saturday, 12–6pm, and two hours prior to performance
Planning for the McAninch Arts Center began in 1981 with a budget of $14.4 million, and it opened its doors in October 1986. In 2013, the center underwent a $35 million renovation, and since 2014 programming has grown each year with the addition of free Lakeside concerts and the transformation of the Cleve Carney Art Gallery into a museum hosting international summer shows. The mission of the McAninch Arts Center is to foster enlightened educational and entertaining performance opportunities, encourage artistic expression and engagement, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. The center presents over 368 public ticketed and free events annually, averaging 7 public events weekly, 52 weeks a year, and each season includes more than 200 performances of plays, concerts and lectures, as well as numerous art exhibits in the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and MAC lobby area. The MAC has welcomed more than two million audience members through its doors, and it is described as “the cultural center for greater DuPage County.”
The SchoolStage series offers theatrical and musical performances designed specifically for youth from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and connects with school curriculum, and it is described as ideal for local bus field trips or homeschool families. The McAninch Arts Center is committed to community outreach efforts that include long-term artist residencies, professional development, and youth classes. MAC Chats are free presentations offered before or after select performances to provide audiences with a greater understanding and appreciation of the accompanying program, and they are provided by educators, artists, scholars, or community leaders. Common Ground Conversations are free, moderated post-show conversations discussing issues related to the show, and MAC Chats and Common Ground Conversations are described as exclusive and unlike anything found elsewhere. Family-oriented programming is included in the MAC’s expanded line-up, and the MAC offers free Lakeside concerts.
Leadership for these programs includes Director Diana Martinez and Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Mandy Rakow, along with staff such as Business Manager Molly Junokas, Assistant Business Manager Linda Sharbaugh, Project Manager Kari Schoettle, Marketing and Patron Services Coordinator Janey Sarther, Administrative Assistant Morgan Bainbridge, Box Office Manager Julie Elges, Patron Services Manager Tom Murray, Front of House Manager/Volunteer Coordinator Rob Nardini, Production and Rentals Manager Joe Hopper, Technical Theater Coordinator Rick Arnold, Technical Theater Supervisor Sabrina Zeidler, Costume and Make-up Design Coordinator Kimberly G. Morris, Museum Curator Justin Witte, Assistant Curator Julia Walker, New Philharmonic Music Director and Conductor Kirk Muspratt, New Philharmonic Manager Paula Cebula, and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble Interim Managing Artistic Director Amelia Barrett. Group sales are available at (630) 942-3026 or [email protected], and press inquiries are directed to Press Contact Ann Fink.
The MAC is described by the Daily Herald as “the cultural center for greater DuPage County.” The COD Courier notes that “the acoustics in the performance hall are absolutely excellent,” and Art Intercepts describes the renovation by saying, “The chairs are comfy, the legroom is generous, and the site lines are lovely. There’s an art gallery for intermission entertainment, and comfortable gathering places in the lobby and front patio.”
Last updated January 11, 2026.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Box Office open Tuesday–Saturday, 12–6pm, and two hours prior to performance
Planning for the McAninch Arts Center began in 1981 with a budget of $14.4 million, and it opened its doors in October 1986. In 2013, the center underwent a $35 million renovation, and since 2014 programming has grown each year with the addition of free Lakeside concerts and the transformation of the Cleve Carney Art Gallery into a museum hosting international summer shows. The mission of the McAninch Arts Center is to foster enlightened educational and entertaining performance opportunities, encourage artistic expression and engagement, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. The center presents over 368 public ticketed and free events annually, averaging 7 public events weekly, 52 weeks a year, and each season includes more than 200 performances of plays, concerts and lectures, as well as numerous art exhibits in the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and MAC lobby area. The MAC has welcomed more than two million audience members through its doors, and it is described as “the cultural center for greater DuPage County.”
The SchoolStage series offers theatrical and musical performances designed specifically for youth from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and connects with school curriculum, and it is described as ideal for local bus field trips or homeschool families. The McAninch Arts Center is committed to community outreach efforts that include long-term artist residencies, professional development, and youth classes. MAC Chats are free presentations offered before or after select performances to provide audiences with a greater understanding and appreciation of the accompanying program, and they are provided by educators, artists, scholars, or community leaders. Common Ground Conversations are free, moderated post-show conversations discussing issues related to the show, and MAC Chats and Common Ground Conversations are described as exclusive and unlike anything found elsewhere. Family-oriented programming is included in the MAC’s expanded line-up, and the MAC offers free Lakeside concerts.
Leadership for these programs includes Director Diana Martinez and Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Mandy Rakow, along with staff such as Business Manager Molly Junokas, Assistant Business Manager Linda Sharbaugh, Project Manager Kari Schoettle, Marketing and Patron Services Coordinator Janey Sarther, Administrative Assistant Morgan Bainbridge, Box Office Manager Julie Elges, Patron Services Manager Tom Murray, Front of House Manager/Volunteer Coordinator Rob Nardini, Production and Rentals Manager Joe Hopper, Technical Theater Coordinator Rick Arnold, Technical Theater Supervisor Sabrina Zeidler, Costume and Make-up Design Coordinator Kimberly G. Morris, Museum Curator Justin Witte, Assistant Curator Julia Walker, New Philharmonic Music Director and Conductor Kirk Muspratt, New Philharmonic Manager Paula Cebula, and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble Interim Managing Artistic Director Amelia Barrett. Group sales are available at (630) 942-3026 or [email protected], and press inquiries are directed to Press Contact Ann Fink.
The MAC is described by the Daily Herald as “the cultural center for greater DuPage County.” The COD Courier notes that “the acoustics in the performance hall are absolutely excellent,” and Art Intercepts describes the renovation by saying, “The chairs are comfy, the legroom is generous, and the site lines are lovely. There’s an art gallery for intermission entertainment, and comfortable gathering places in the lobby and front patio.”
Last updated January 11, 2026.
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