SCERA Center for the Arts - Orem Utah
Arts in Orem UT
Founded in 1933, SCERA is a non-profit charitable arts organization dedicated to the development and advancement of arts and culture, arts education, and wholesome and affordable family entertainment. Their goal is to "enrich the mind, touch the soul and unify the family."
Historical Sharon Cultural Education Recreation Association
Historical SCERA Theater, Orem UT
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The SCERA Center for the Arts
Address: 745 South State Orem, UT 84058 801-225-ARTS (2787)
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Modern SCERA Center for the Arts
SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem UT
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The Modern SCERA Center for the Arts
The SCERA story began in 1933 when the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a letter to Stake Presidents requesting that local church units provide recreation for their members. The citizens of the "Sharon Tract" (which became the city of Orem) took up the challenge. |
With unity and determination they formed the Sharon Community (now Cultural) Education Recreation Association. Within a few years, a 745 seat Show House was built on land donated by the Church to provide a setting for the screening of popular family films and occasional live entertainment. At its grand opening on Sept. 1, 1941, the SCERA theater featured John Wayne in the western "Shepherd of the Hills."
History of the SCERA Center for the Arts
The auditorium was built without financial aid from any government, church, or outside source - the SCERA retained 100 percent control over the facility.
In 1995, SCERA completed a new 26,508-square-foot, three-level expansion of the show house. The $2.3 million addition included a 485-seat auditorium with balcony seating and eight box seats for movies and live performances; art galleries and exhibit areas for local, regional and national shows; four multipurpose rooms for smaller performances, recitals, rehearsals, meetings, and classes and workshops in the arts; and a home for the Orem Heritage Museum.
Thanks to the Ray and Tye Noorda Family Foundation, the SCERA was given 2.5 acres with two commercial buildings east of the main center in 2006, where SCERA has opened a state-of-the art costume, prop and scene shop. A second building holds 1,000 square feet of classrooms for art instruction, including an easel room and a pottery room.
The auditorium was built without financial aid from any government, church, or outside source - the SCERA retained 100 percent control over the facility.
In 1995, SCERA completed a new 26,508-square-foot, three-level expansion of the show house. The $2.3 million addition included a 485-seat auditorium with balcony seating and eight box seats for movies and live performances; art galleries and exhibit areas for local, regional and national shows; four multipurpose rooms for smaller performances, recitals, rehearsals, meetings, and classes and workshops in the arts; and a home for the Orem Heritage Museum.
Thanks to the Ray and Tye Noorda Family Foundation, the SCERA was given 2.5 acres with two commercial buildings east of the main center in 2006, where SCERA has opened a state-of-the art costume, prop and scene shop. A second building holds 1,000 square feet of classrooms for art instruction, including an easel room and a pottery room.
SCERA Grand Theatre
SCERA Grand Theater, Orem UT
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Classic Art-Deco Theatre
This is the largest non-Imax type movie screen in Utah County. The large theater is equipped for 70mm presentations and with a giant 40′ x 20′ screen, 733 seats and incredible digital projection and sound.
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SCERA Showhouse II
SCERA Center for the Arts Showhouse Theater
Description:
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SCERA Center Showhouse Theater
The SCERA Center Theater is designed to be one of the most audience- and cast-friendly theaters in the nation. There's an orchestra "pit" off to the side of the auditorium seats that's unique. The conductor will watch the production on closed-circuit television and the sound will be carried by conduit into the auditorium, providing less distraction and better music for the shows. For movies, the Showhouse is equipped with a Simplex X-L projector and is set-up for Dolby Digital playback. |
Theater for Young Audiences
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SCERA Youth Theater
syt@scera.org Introduce children to the magic of live theater with these short one-hour live theatre productions based on popular children's books. They are performed by a cast of adult actors featuring a Question & Answer session with the cast and director following the show. Great for school field trips and families with children! PUBLIC SHOWS: Showings for families, individuals and smaller groups. |
SCERA Art Studios
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The SCERA Art Studios
340 East 720 South Orem, UT 84058 (801) 225-ARTS SCERA Art Studios Classes Link SCERA believes the arts can enrich lives, teach new skills, foster confidence, teamwork and leadership and help youth and adults make new friends and have fun! SCERA offers a wide variety of arts education programs - definitely something for everyone! |
SCERA Costume, Prop, and Scene Shop
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The SCERA Costume, Prop, & Scene Shop
345 East 800 South Orem, UT 84058 (801) 225-ARTS ext. 1036 costumeshop@scera.org. |
The SCERA 11,385 sqft Costume Shop, opened in 2007, has a wide variety of costumes and offers year-round rentals to individuals, groups, businesses, churches, and theatrical organizations. The new costume library contains 20,000 to 30,000 costumes and costume accessories in its inventory, including hundreds of vintage dresses, hats and coats.
Not-for-Profit Charity
SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem UT
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Non-profit Status Confirmed
In 1996, the tax-except status of SCERA was challenged. This is part of the transcript: "The other question had by Commissioner Grover was whether or not the requirements of charitable use are being met. It was explained to the Board that the SCERA is a community held, non-profit, charitable, 501C3 foundation. Scera assumes responsibility to provide cultural, educational and entertainment programs for the community at large. |
"It was stated that the SCERA corporate boundaries extend beyond the city limits of Orem into Provo, including everything within the boundaries of the original Sharon Stake. The officers are elected within these boundaries, providing training and educational experiences for the youth of the community. Previous to 1981, SCERA provided all the recreational programs for the City, until the Orem Recreation Center was built. At this time it was determined that Scera would provide cultural, educational and entertainment programs. The appellant stated that the Scera facilities were available to religious group at little or no charge.
Commissioner Grover questioned the charitable activities and was told that the SCERA gives back sizable contributions to the community by terms of movie passes for low and moderate income people, free educational programs, and programs at considerable low rates. It was stated that in 1996, SCERA would use between 700-800 volunteers in the theater, pool and at the show. The volunteers receive some use privileges that are kept to a minimum because of the large number of volunteers. The appellant stated that the youth that volunteer at the SCERA facilities do it for the work experience and job training.
Commissioner Grover read the education standard for tax exemption and the representative stated, after hearing the definition, that he felt that the SCERA qualified. The Board and the SCERA representative further discussed qualifications and use of the SCERA facilities by local schools. Commissioner Gardner made a motion that the Sharon Community Education/ Recreation Association being identified as a 501C3 organization be identified as tax exempt, to the point where property is sold, as well as the associated personal property, 19333 be identified as exempt. Utah County
Commissioner Grover questioned the charitable activities and was told that the SCERA gives back sizable contributions to the community by terms of movie passes for low and moderate income people, free educational programs, and programs at considerable low rates. It was stated that in 1996, SCERA would use between 700-800 volunteers in the theater, pool and at the show. The volunteers receive some use privileges that are kept to a minimum because of the large number of volunteers. The appellant stated that the youth that volunteer at the SCERA facilities do it for the work experience and job training.
Commissioner Grover read the education standard for tax exemption and the representative stated, after hearing the definition, that he felt that the SCERA qualified. The Board and the SCERA representative further discussed qualifications and use of the SCERA facilities by local schools. Commissioner Gardner made a motion that the Sharon Community Education/ Recreation Association being identified as a 501C3 organization be identified as tax exempt, to the point where property is sold, as well as the associated personal property, 19333 be identified as exempt. Utah County
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