Once the renovation of the Sunset Theater was underway, the City Council for Carmel-by-the-Sea began to review its options for managing the renewed Sunset Center. The City Council sought to divest itself of the responsibility of managing and operating the Sunset Center complex and decided to engage a nonprofit organization to act in its place.

In October 2003, nine local volunteers created Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. ("SCC"), a not-for-profit California corporation. During the next six months, the SCC Trustees formulated a business plan with a detailed operating plan and started negotiations on a long-term contract with the City of Carmel. The City Council unanimously approved the contract in June, and SCC began managing Sunset Center on July 1, 2004. The contract establishes that "both parties desire that Sunset Center be managed and operated as a place for public, cultural, entertainment and community events, so that Sunset Center will serve as an economic and cultural stimulant for the community and the people of Carmel and its environs."

The operating budget for Sunset Center for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005 is nearly $1.3 million. Each year, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea underwrites a large portion of the operating costs for Sunset Center, as an investment in the cultural life of the community. SCC, for its part, supports its "Presenting Partners" - local performing arts organizations that use the Sunset Theater -- in various ways. Over time, SCC plans to develop programs to help strengthen ticket sales for our existing Presenting Partners and welcome new Presenting Partners to Sunset Center. By actively developing new programs and adding to the number of Presenting Parters, SCC intends to increase the number of nights that the theater is used. This effort should reduce Sunset Center's long-term dependence on City funds.

SCC also sponsors Performance Carmel, a vibrant and eclectic series of live performances featuring music, dance and a variety of related entertainment. Each season, Performance Carmel stages up to eleven events, and brings such well-loved shows as the National Acrobats of Taiwan, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Pilobolus and other internationally recognized performers to Carmel.

SCC estimates that Sunset Center and its Presenting Partners generate around a $9 million...through the visitors that come to town for events and the local spending on salaries and related expenses. We are proud to serve as the cultural center of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

SCC, Inc. Board of Trustees

The current SCC, Inc. all-volunteer Board of Trustees includes Deanna Adolph, Steven Hillyard, Michael McMahan, David S. Parker and Jim Price. Each Trustee serves a maximum of two, three-year terms. SCC felt it was important to have trustees that not only had the skills needed to lead us into the future, but also had a strong interest in the local community. Accordingly, SCC's contract stipulates that one-third of the Trustees shall be residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea and one-third shall be residents of Monterey County.