Our Story

Suffolk High School, built in 1922, served as a beloved place of gathering and learning ​for thousands of students, parents, teachers, administrators and many others, until its doors were closed in 1990. The building’s halls still seem to resound with 70 years of youthful excitement and potential. The old slate stairs were lovingly worn with the buoyant steps of all those who had passed through this magnificent building. Through the years Suffolk High School had seen many great changes, but an ingenious metamorphosis was on the horizon.

In 1998 a task force was appointed to develop a plan for the grand old school building. The result? A transformation of Suffolk High School into the area’s only full-service cultural arts center, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts!

Strategies were put into place and a capital campaign was launched in September of 2001. The adaptive-reuse of this building qualified for historic tax credits, which greatly aided the renovation. With the incomparable support of the City of Suffolk and the private sector, the remainder of funding was secured. Groundbreaking took place in August 2004, and after much hard work, the Center was completed the summer of 2006.

The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts has come to resounding life! We invite you to share the excitement of our next season. Experience world-class performances as actors, entertainers, musicians and dancers grace our stage. Witness the mastery of visual artists in our gallery space. Learn something new, participate in a variety of art classes, involve your children, meet friends for lunch or dinner or host a party, or even a banquet! Join us as we celebrate the cultural arts in Suffolk.