Crafton Hills College Celebrates Grand Opening of New Finkelstein Performing Arts Center
Publish Date: Sept. 19, 2025
Yucaipa, CA — On Friday, September 19, Crafton Hills College (CHC) and the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) proudly celebrated the grand opening of the new Finkelstein Performing Arts Center (PAC). The state-of-the-art, 24,000-square-foot facility replaces the original Finkelstein Performing Arts Center, which had housed the College’s theatre arts and music programs since 1978.
The event drew students, alumni, community members, and local leaders who gathered to mark this historic milestone. Guests were welcomed by piano performances from CHC music students Joshua Burdick and Gianna Lopez, followed by a lively rendition of Ring Them Bells performed by Debbie Prutsman, accompanied by Scott Smith. Prutsman, who studied performance art at CHC in the 1970s before going on to teach drama in local high schools, delighted the audience with the humorous and uplifting number.
The ceremonial program opened with remarks from Dr. Kevin Horan, President of Crafton Hills College, who highlighted CHC’s long tradition of philanthropy—beginning with the gift of 523 acres from brothers Ruben and Lester Finkelstein and continuing today through the efforts of the CHC Foundation.
SBCCD Chancellor Diana Rodriguez thanked voters for their support of Measure CC, which provided critical funding for the project. “Creativity lives right here,” she said. “This center will help students grow, inspire families, and live on for generations.”
SBCCD Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Nathan Gonzales added, “It’s the arts that give this place soul!” emphasizing the essential role of performing arts in education across disciplines.
State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh praised the value of the arts in shaping society, saying that diversity, collaboration, and creativity provide a foundation for all fields, including the sciences. “The curtain is rising for a bright future,” she concluded.
Also offering remarks was Scott Ward, representing San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s office, while the Redlands Chamber of Commerce led the ceremonial ribbon cutting. With the snip of oversized scissors by Dr. Horan and honored guests, the new Finkelstein Performing Arts Center officially opened its doors.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the facility, which includes a 274-seat main theater, a black box theater, the Elaine S. Rosen Music Room, music labs, costume and scene shops, and other modern performance spaces. Designed with sustainability in mind, the PAC features passive solar shading, drought-tolerant landscaping, and energy-efficient materials, with the goal of achieving LEED Gold certification.
The celebration also featured the unveiling of the first 90 plaques from CHC’s “Sponsor a Seat” campaign, which invites community members to support theater program expenses by sponsoring seats in the new theater. Each seat sponsorship includes a personalized donor plate. More information is available at CraftonHills.edu/seat
The project reflects a strong community investment through Measure CC bond funds, state resources, and private donor contributions. By replacing the decades-old facility, the new PAC positions Crafton Hills College as a regional hub for performing arts and ensures the legacy of the Finkelstein family continues to be honored. Ruben’s granddaughter, Nancy Finkelstein, attended the ceremony in recognition of her family’s lasting gift.
“This new Performing Arts Center is more than a building—it’s a promise to our students and our community,” said Dr. Horan. “It provides the spaces, resources, and inspiration for our students to pursue their dreams in music, theater, and dance, while also serving as a cultural hub for our region.”
About the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center
Size: 24,000 square feet
Features: 274-seat main theater, black box theater, Elaine S. Rosen Music Room, music labs, dressing rooms, costume and scene shops, green room, and modern audio/recording facilities.
Groundbreaking: May 31, 2023
Completion: August 2025, just in time for the fall semester.
