Located at the heart of the 204-acre campus of the College of Staten Island (CSI), a four-year senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), the Center for the Arts (CFA) is one of the leading, state-of-the-art, performing arts centers in Staten Island. Designed by Edward Durell Stone Associates, the CFA opened its doors to the public on April 13, 1996. Since its opening, the CFA has presented 310 artists and artist groups with audiences totaling 130,000. This world-class performance facility is noted for its annual series, CFA Presents, a series of first-rate performances featuring music, comedy, theater, dance, and children’s theater.
The CFA is also the home to CFA Rentals, a year-round theater rental program that hosts 2,000 events and welcomes 400,000 visitors per year. Located in Building 1P, the CFA manages the Springer Concert Hall (911 seats), the Williamson Theatre (442 seats), the Recital Hall (156 seats), and the Lecture Hall (143 seats). The theaters are well-equipped with theatrical lighting, audio, and other new media offerings. Other public spaces at the Center include a skylit Atrium, two lounges, artist dressing rooms, two green rooms, and a conference room. The CFA has the ability to cater to all types of events–from dance and music recitals to graduations, benefits, concerts, festivals, and public hearings. The CFA is the perfect place for community organizations, businesses, schools, and individuals to rent space for events of their own design.
The CFA takes pride in developing a fresh calendar of events each season, bringing a broad range of programming that reflects the various interests of the College, including academic departments, advancement, and student life, along with offering popular and cultural performances to the rapidly expanding population of Staten Island. Sponsoring excellence in emerging and renowned artists, both locally and internationally, the CFA is a venue that enriches the lives of the Staten Island community, while serving as a resource for educational activities, both scholarly and artistic. We take pride in presenting affordable tickets, developing new partnerships with neighboring communities, and providing quality entertainment “close to home.” Make the CFA your ideal destination for enjoying the performing arts. See you at the theater!
