Burnsville Performing Arts Center

• Phone: 952.895.4679
• Email: info@ames-center.com
• Address:

  12600 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337

• Website: www.ames-center.com

The Ames Center is a modern performing arts venue located in Burnsville, Minnesota.  This state-of-art complex, previously known as the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, hosts a wide variety of exciting performances and events throughout the year. In addition to multiple performance spaces, the building features a two-story lobby with stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline.

The Ames Center boasts two theaters. The main Proscenium Theater has a total capacity of 1,014 seats. The Black Box Theater, with a maximum capacity of 150 seats, is the perfect venue for smaller events. The Ames Center hosts events such as the Twin Cities Ballet, concerts, and the Miss Minnesota USA/Teen USA pageant. Both theaters have state-of-the-art multimedia capabilities.  

As LilyinMN recently noted on TripAdvisor, it is a “small venue showing great acts and plays. Free parking, full bar, no bad seats in the whole house! We have attended concerts, comedy, and plays and have not been disappointed once.  The main stage and black box theater both are intimate settings.”

There is a 2,000 square-foot art gallery that is also available for evening rentals. The artistic space hosts eight art exhibits throughout the year that strives to display works by local artists. The art gallery is accessible to everyone and includes such features as braille and large print.

Additional spaces include a 4,000 square-foot lobby area that is available as a reception area for up to 300 people. The lobby reception area is a visually stunning venue for banquets, trade shows, and other special events. An 1,800 square foot rehearsal room is available. The site also boasts a large meeting room that can serve as multiple classrooms.

The venue has established relationships with local caterers. Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, Roasted Pear, Crave, and the Chianti Grille work with clients to provide a delicious dining experience at Ames Center. Clients may opt to bring in food with prior permission from the venue, but may only serve alcohol purchased at Ames Center.

Lastly, the location of Ames Center lends to its appeal as a venue. Located in downtown Burnsville, free parking is readily available in parking garages and on the street. There are numerous lodging options near Ames Center.  Hungry visitors find many popular restaurants within one block of the performing arts center.