Living Arts Centre Mississauga
The Living Arts Centre is a performing arts theatre and concert hall complex in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
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The Living Arts Centre (LAC) is Mississauga’s flagship cultural facility. It is also home to the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra.
This cultural landmark is a great venue for live shows. A wide range of concerts, galas, and exhibitions are hosted here throughout the year.
The LAC complex has three theatres for the performing arts: Hammerson Hall, RBC Theatre and Rogers Theatre. You will also find art galleries, plus seven professional art studios for local artists. Multiple resident artists occupy the facility’s studio spaces.
There is also an assortment of rentable facilities available for corporate meetings.
The LAC is a City of Mississauga owned and operated live event venue. It’s open year-round. The centre is easily accessible, with ample parking, and there is plenty of public transit in the area.
Online reviews for the LAC in Mississauga are very positive. Google reviews currently rank at 4.6 out of 5, with thousands of reviews given.
The centre averages over 400,000 visitors each year.
Vision and Inception
The Living Arts Centre opened its doors in 1997 with a grand vision in mind: to foster artistic expression, education, and engagement in a state-of-the-art facility that would serve as a cultural hub for Mississauga and beyond.
The centre was designed as a multi-disciplinary arts complex that would showcase a wide spectrum of performing and visual arts, providing a space for both established artists and emerging talents to showcase their work.
Where is the Living Arts Centre Mississauga?
The Living Arts Centre is located a block north of Celebration Square and the Mississauga Civic Centre (City Hall). It’s a two minute walk from Square One Shopping Centre.
Address: 4141 Living Arts Drive
Mississauga, ON. L5B 4B8
Phone number: 905-306-6000
Website: City of Mississauga website
Hours: 9:00am to 9:00pm daily, may be extended due to scheduled events and performances
Box Office Hours: (onsite) 11:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday, closed between 12:00pm and 12:30pm; also open 2 hours before, and up to 1 hour after scheduled events
Foundation Year: 1997
Pets: only service animals are allowed
Smoking: no smoking
Accessibility: wheelchair and stroller friendly
Public Washrooms: multiple, wheelchair accessible
Wi-Fi: there is free Wi-Fi at the LAC
Admission: varies by event
Mississauga’s Premiere Concert Hall
The Living Arts Centre Mississauga has multiple components.
Hammerson Hall
Hammerson Hall is one of the largest theatres in the Greater Toronto Area, with seating for 1315 people. This award-winning symphony hall has state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
The hall accommodates all types of events including musical performances, major touring productions, galas, corporate meetings, and film shoots.
RBC Theatre
RBC Theatre is a more intimate, mid-sized venue that can be customized for various seating configurations.
- Traditional theatre style seating up to 310
- Theatre-in-the-round seating up to 382
- Cabaret style seating up to 250
Rogers Theatre
Rogers Theatre is the smallest of the LAC’s three performance venues.
- Suited for small music recitals, presentations, business meetings, lectures, and film screenings
- Tiered seating design with 110 seats
- Good for audio/video presentations
Art Exhibitions
The LAC has public art exhibitions throughout the facility. There is a rotating series of exhibitions throughout the year.
These exhibitions feature works from local and international artists.
The galleries at the LAC are part of a group of complimentary art galleries across Mississauga that includes the Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) facility at Riverwood Conservancy.
Visual Art Studios
The LAC also provides seven professionally equipped craft/arts studios that are home to resident local artists. The studios also host art classes for people of all ages and skill levels.
- Glass Blowing
- Ceramics & Pottery
- Sculpture
- Woodworking
- Painting & Drawing
- Fibre Arts & Printmaking
- Photography
Corporate Meeting Rooms
- 4 Classrooms
- Boardroom
- Lounge
- 2 Large Meeting Rooms
Live! Restaurant
Live! Restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Living Arts Centre and offers pre-show buffet dining. It provides a classic menu, including prix fixe meals. The restaurant can also be booked for private corporate and social events.
Living Arts Centre Events
The Living Arts Centre offers an eclectic variety of performances, including dramatic and musical productions of all genres, with everything from rock concerts to ballet and opera. Tickets are available to purchase online at livingartscentre.ca.
The Nutcracker Ballet is a fan favourite, and it plays to sold out crowds every holiday season.
Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity
Mississauga is a melting pot of cultures, and the Living Arts Centre reflects this diversity in its programming. The centre’s commitment to inclusivity is evident through its celebration of various cultural festivals and events.
It’s not uncommon to witness a Diwali celebration one day, a Chinese New Year event the next, and an Egyptian symphony orchestra shortly after.
These cultural celebrations are a testament to the Living Arts Centre’s dedication to embracing and showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Mississauga.
Education and Outreach
The Living Arts Centre is not just a destination for entertainment; it is also a centre for education and community engagement. Their education programs cater to individuals of all ages and skill levels, offering a broad range of arts classes, workshops, and camps. Whether you’re interested in music, dance, visual arts, or drama, there’s a program for you.
The Centre’s outreach initiatives extend into the community, promoting arts education in schools, offering workshops and performances for young people, and supporting emerging artists through residencies and mentorship programs.
By actively engaging with the community, the LAC ensures that the arts remain accessible to all, nurturing the next generation of artists and art appreciators.
How Do I Get to the Living Arts Centre?
As mentioned above, the LAC is in the Square One City Centre area of Mississauga. You can easily walk there from the dozens of high rise condominiums that surround it, and you can easily reach it by car from anywhere. Highway 403 is close nearby, as is the QEW highway.
Parking
The LAC provides underground parking that is open during regular facility hours and during events. Underground parking is free on weekdays after 6 p.m. and on weekends.
Clearly marked wheelchair access parking spaces are located next to the elevators on levels P1 and P2.
Public Transportation
The LAC is easily accessible by public transportation and is within walking distance of the Mississauga City Centre Transit Terminal. This is the central hub for MiWay bus routes, and will soon be a stop on the Hazel McCallion LRT.
There are express buses that run from the Toronto Kipling Station to the transit terminal. Nearest heavy rail commuter train station is the Cooksville GO Station.
Conclusion
Attending a concert at the Living Arts Centre is one of the top things to do in Mississauga. With its abundance of concerts, galas, dramatic and musical performances, the LAC has something for everyone.
The LAC is more than just a performance venue; it’s a thriving part of the Mississauga community.
It has enriched the lives of many people through its diverse array of performances, educational programs, and community engagement efforts.
Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a budding artist, or simply looking for a memorable night out, the Living Arts Centre Mississauga is a testament to the power of the arts to inspire and educate a community.
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