Founded in 1939 and rebranded as the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) in the 1950s, the organization remains committed to impacting regional and global communities by providing transformative arts experiences that challenge, entertain and educate. In 2003, the CAC moved into its current home, the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art designed by celebrated architect Zaha Hadid.

In 2011, the CAC launched its first performance program. The Black Box Performance
Series presents an impressive collection of contemporary music, dance, theatre, and multimedia works from regional, national, and international artists. A dedication to presenting both emerging and established voices is matched by a strong commitment to commissioning and co-producing new works.