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Lesher Center lays out strategic plan gains, marks 35th anniversary year with expanded festivals and partnerships
Summary
Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association reported growth in audience, new productions and partnerships, a unified brand and a marketing team, and plans for a busy 35th anniversary season including SF Jazz, Improv and Diwali festivals, and capital upgrades.
The Lesher Center for the Arts reported audience growth, expanded programming and new partnerships at the Walnut Creek City Council meeting May 20, 2025, and invited the public to a year of anniversary events.
Carolyn Jackson, Lesher Center general manager and interim arts and recreation director, told council the center implemented recommendations from a strategic plan adopted in 2022. Jackson said the center shifted from being primarily a rental venue to presenting national and international artists, launched the Lesher Center in Your Neighborhood outreach program, established a marketing department and unified branding across the Lesher Center and its nonprofit partner, the Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA).
DRAA Executive Director Peggy White and Bedford Gallery Curator Emily Enders described recent successes. White said the headliner series has drawn more than 32,000 attendees to date and that pay-what-you-can and outreach programs have expanded arts access. Enders said Bedford Gallery is expanding its national traveling exhibition program and highlighted current and upcoming shows that increase representation, including Rediscovering Native America: Stories in Motion.
Supporters and donors addressed council in support of the strategic plan and upcoming events. Steve Lesher, chair of the Lesher Foundation, urged council to safeguard artistic freedom and said the foundation will continue supporting the center’s programming. Angie Coffey, chair of the DRAA board, and other local supporters including Sandeep Kajalgi and Mike Weintraub described new programs and a planned Diwali festival in October, which will include music, food and cultural programming.
Council members praised the programming and outreach and asked about COVID-era recovery. Jackson said audience levels are near pre‑pandemic totals for many presenters, though production management still faces occasional illness-related cancellations. Steve Lesher emphasized that programming decisions should be driven by curators and patrons, not political intervention.
What to expect: the Lesher Center will celebrate its 35th anniversary year with a full season of headliners — including a partnership with SF Jazz — two new weekend festivals (Improv and Diwali) in October, launches of community outreach programs and continued capital improvements. Staff told council planned capital work includes replacement of stage floors for the Lesher and Hoffman theaters this summer and future upgrades to theater sound, fire systems and HVAC.
Next steps: the center will continue to report metrics to the city, including subscription and first-time buyer rates; staff noted Center Rep subscriptions are up 11% over last year and recent productions have drawn a consistent share of first‑time Lesher attendees.
