Livermore city feature
About this landmark
The Bankhead Theater opened in 2007 as a hub for performing arts in Livermore.
The Bankhead Theater is a 34,000-square-foot arts venue located at 2400 First Street in downtown Livermore. It is owned and operated by the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC), a nonprofit organization founded in 1998 by Philip Wente, Joan Seppala, and Phillip Dean. LVPAC incorporated as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization in 1999.
Building a new cultural landmark
LVPAC hired its first paid staff in August 2005, with a groundbreaking ceremony held that October. Site work began in February 2006, and in July 2006, LVPAC received $22.8 million in bond proceeds to fund construction. Architect Steve MacCracken designed the theater. Construction was completed in early September 2007 on time and under budget. The Bankhead opened September 29, 2007, with its first paid performance on October 1, 2007.
The theater was built on a site that previously held the historic Dutcher's Hardware and Valley Garage buildings, both demolished in September 2004 to make way for the venue. The lot had also served as temporary parking for the ACE train station. The Bankhead is part of downtown Livermore's 1995 redevelopment initiative. The venue was named for the Bankhead family, a third-generation Livermore family with a history of local arts advocacy; matriarch Evelyn Bankhead was a teacher and arts advocate.
Today's performing-arts hub
The theater features state-of-the-art acoustics and sightlines from every seat. Amenities include an elevator on the west end of the main lobby, fully accessible restrooms in the main and upper lobbies, and free assistive listening devices. A drop-off and pick-up area is located on Railroad Avenue, with adjacent free parking at the Livermore Valley Center garage. The organization is led by Executive Director Chris Carter, who oversees the theater's Finance and Administration, Marketing, Operations, and Production departments.
The Bankhead houses ten resident performing-arts companies and is home to the Bothwell Arts Center. In its first season, the venue hosted more than 200 events reaching over 76,000 attendees, including more than 14,000 school children. This strong opening demonstrated the theater's vital role in the regional arts community and downtown Livermore's cultural life.
Insurance connection: Auto insurance
Organizations operating vehicles in California must maintain auto insurance meeting state requirements. All drivers and vehicle owners must at all times be able to establish financial responsibility through insurance, a cash deposit, or a surety bond. State law mandates minimum liability limits of $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage. Insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage; drivers who decline it must sign a waiver. Policies may be cancelled only for fraud, nonpayment, or substantial increase in hazard. Coverage and eligibility depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: LVPAC official history page, eLivermore Bankhead Theater history, and LVPAC Bankhead Theater page.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.