Janesville Presents is the primary presenting organization in the area bringing a host of national and international performing artists to the Janesville Performing Arts Center.
Founded in 1937, Janesville Presents! is the fifth in a line of community concert organizations that have brought outstanding musical performers to Janesville stages since the early years of the 20th century. The first of these organizations, the Apollo Club, was founded in 1905. The Apollo Club sponsored concerts continuously until 1932 when the effects of the Depression forced the club to cease activity. In 1937, the Janesville Civic Music Association, a branch of the National Civic Music Association, was formed. This organization served the community continuously from 1937 to 1961. In 1961, after affiliating with a new management company, the organization renamed itself the Janesville Community Concert Association.
In order to contract with artists independently, the association incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1982 and changed its name to the Janesville Concert Association (JCA). In anticipation of the opening of the Janesville Performing Arts Center in 2004, the Janesville Concert Association changed it’s name to Janesville Presents! in an effort to clearly define its mission.
Over the years Janesville Presents has brought an impressive list of artists to Janesville including Pablo Casals (1923), Vladimir Horowitz (1930), Peter Nero (1960), Dawn Upshaw (1986), the New Christy Minstrels (1971), and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (12 performances).
In recent seasons Janesville Presents! has taken the lead in involving the community in how it selects which artists come to town. The public is invited to attend a special JPAC Your Lunch program, referred to as the “Season Picking Party” where attendees view and rate DVDs and CDs from the pool of artists that Janesville Presents! is considering for its next season. The following season is programmed with this audience feedback in mind.
Mailing Address: Janesville Presents!, PO Box 8251, Janesville, WI 53547
