(Yucaipa, Calif., Sept. 19, 2025) – Crafton Hills College announces the grand opening of the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed by DLR Group to elevate arts education and community engagement. The 24,000-SF venue marks a new era for the College’s music and theater, offering students and faculty a modern, inspiring space to create, perform, and connect.

Reflecting the College’s commitment to the arts and innovation, the new center, situated along Campus Drive, replaces the original cast-in-place concrete structure with a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable design. The architecture draws from the campus’s mid-century design while embracing natural light, outdoor gathering spaces, and advanced theater technology. The facility features a 274-seat proscenium theater, a black box theater, rehearsal and recording spaces, dressing rooms, costume and scene shops, and faculty offices. A central courtyard and open plaza invite informal performances and student gatherings, creating a welcoming environment that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor experiences.

Designed to target LEED Platinum certification, which would be the first of its kind within the State of California, the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center integrates sustainable design strategies including earth-berming, passive heating and cooling, and energy-efficient systems. DLR Group provided integrated design services across architecture, interiors, engineering, technology, and sustainable design services.