San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
The San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center (SFWMPAC) is located in San Francisco, California and is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It covers three hectares (7.5 acres) in San Francisco's Civic Center Historic District with 7,500 seats in its several venues. Opera, symphony, modern and classical dance, theatre, recitals, plays, lectures, meetings, receptions, special screenings and gala events all have a place at the Center.
Origins
The origins of the Center lie in the development of the War Memorial Opera House and Veterans Building which began after the First World War, and culminated in the construction of two buildings, the Opera House and a multi-purpose building next door, the Veterans’ Building, both of which opened in 1932. The latter housed the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art from 1932 to 1994.
The SFWMPAC has great historical significance as well. The United Nations Charter of 1945 was signed in the Veterans Auditorium (now Herbst Theatre) and in 1951, the Japanese Peace Treaty was signed in the Opera House. The Center has been host to U.S. presidents and foreign heads of state. The building appears on the first United Nations commemorative postage stamp, the 1952 5 cent issue, "Birthplace of the Charter."
The Arts Center was chosen in 1990 to host the first Goldman Environmental Prize Ceremony, which is now presented annually at the Center.
Performing arts venues
The following venues make up the SFWMPAC:
- War Memorial Opera House, the Opera House, with 3,146 seats, was built in 1932 as part of the original War Memorial Building. It has been the home of the San Francisco Opera since 1932, as well as the San Francisco Ballet.
- Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall opened in 1980 and, with 2,743 seats, is the major symphony hall of the city. It has been the home of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra since its opening.
- Herbst Theatre, with 916 seats, is a small concert and lecture/presentation venue which is a part of the original Veterans Building and was originally named as the “Veterans Auditorium” It is here that the United Nations Charter was signed in 1946. In 1977 the theatre was refurbished and renamed.
- Green Room is located on the second floor of the Veterans Building. Originally designed as a lounge for World War I veterans, the room now serves as a performance and reception hall. Several concert and lecture series are held in the Green Room each year, as well as dinners, receptions, fashion shows, recitals, conferences and meetings. The room is also a prime location for fashion photography and video.
- Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall is located at the corner of Hayes Street, and is directly adjacent to Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall consists of three rehearsal facilities, which can be used for a multitude of rehearsal purposes and movie shoots.