Vacaville Performing Arts Theater reports growth after ARPA and SVOG funding, warns of parking and security strains

Vacaville Performing Arts Theater officials reported substantial year‑over‑year growth in activity at a Nov. 6 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, and said recent federal and city arts grants helped expand bookings and audience numbers — but that construction at the campus and security problems may limit access over the next 9–12 months.

The theater’s manager, Rachel Morgan, said the venue’s operating partner, VenueTech Management Group, now employs 15 people (two full‑time, 13 part‑time) and that VPAT saw sizeable increases in usage days, rentals and audience members between the group’s Feb. 2023 presentation and calendar year 2024. Morgan credited a Vacaville arts grant that used American Rescue Plan Act funds for part of the surge.

The grant began as $150,000 approved by the City Council and later received an additional $100,000, Morgan said, creating a $250,000 pool that supported individual artists, arts organizations and arts…