The Arts Association of East Alabama

February 9, 2026

Dear Valued Patron,

Whether you are a long-time donor or new to our organization, your support of East Alabama Arts is greatly appreciated. Over the last 60 years, we've built a reputation of providing exceptional arts programming. The incredible vision of our Executive Director, Phillip Preston, has shaped the arts community for decades and helped build the audience that now supports a vast array of arts programming across East Alabama.

We recognize that the only consistent thing any of us can count on in this world is change. We have been looking inwardly and outwardly to determine how best to bring a sustainable arts organization into the future. EAA joins many organizations impacted by the changes in our world since the global pandemic including rising costs, decreasing ticket sales, weather-related show cancellations and shifting priorities while competition for donor funds and sponsorships is steep.

These reflections have led us to make some immediate and swift changes. We are pausing our scheduled performance series for 2026. The Choir of Man and Cirque Kalabante are canceled. The Vienna Boys Choir will now be presented at a new location on the same date and your tickets will be valid for that performance.  We will provide the specifics of that performance as soon as they become public. 

We hope you will see us through the changes ahead. This pause grants us time to plan and execute changes for a stronger future. Our director, Phillip Preston's time with the organization will also be ending.  We’ll be working as a board on succession plans to ensure we build on his many successes while shoring up our foundation. We are also hard at work gathering your input and making plans in collaboration with the City of Opelika, partner organizations and individuals in the arts community.

You will continue to be essential to the success of East Alabama Arts. We look forward to your participation in our upcoming community survey. Be on the lookout for that, as well as future programming announcements as we work to build on fan favorites and bring new opportunities for engagement.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

East Alabama Arts

The Performance Series at Opelika Center for the Performing Arts

Over 37 seasons, and counting, this warm, inviting, and personable space of 1150 seats has fostered and reflected the camaraderie and sense of community that is Opelika itself, hosting staged events of national and international significance, and creating roller-coaster emotional experiences from tears of joy and sorrow to gut-busting belly laughs. Our visiting artists are always made to feel right at home, from the attention and care they receive from our backstage crew and volunteers, and from the applause and shouts of acclaim of a discerning audience expressing appreciation for their best efforts.

Barbara Patton Southside Center for the Arts

The Southside Center for the Arts is a realized and longtime dream come true for Opelika's oldest historic neighborhood.  Innovatively designed as a school building by Southern architectural legend Frank Lockwood, Southside Elementary opened in 1929, and for the next 70 years welcomed thousands of children into its classrooms.  

Now, as a cooperative venture between The Arts Association of East Alabama, Envision Opelika, and the City of Opelika, it is a building alive with the sights and sounds of performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, lectures, arts education activities, and community engagement events.  It houses the administrative offices of the Arts Association, Envision Opelika, as well as the Lee-Russell Opelika Senior Center; a 250-seat auditorium, meeting/conference/rehearsal rooms, and gallery space for student and professional art.  Restoration efforts have been true to the building's historic character with functional upgrades for contemporary use. 

Learn more about Southside Center for the Arts