ACA: Harris Theater

After firmly establishing an exceptional artists' residency, ACA broadend its mission to promote arts education by opening its community arts program at Harris House of Atlantic Center. Located in the heart of a revitalized downtown, the site was purchased and restored by trustee Ed Harris and his wife Joan, and was converted to a cultural community center. Since its establishment in 1991, the Harris House has assumed a leadership role in providing arts education programs for children and cultural enrichment for adults. Harris House of ACA also acts as the manager for local arts projects that involve school children of all ages as well as college students, interns, senior citizens, and arts professionals of all disciplines and backgrounds.

The Harris House's success prompted the need for expansion and in 1999, an annex opened across the street. The Yurick Community Studio shares space with a commercial gallery (Arts on Douglas) and comprises office space as well as three large class/lecture rooms. Harris House currently offers a variety of Children's Art Programs that range from an Afterschool Series, Saturday workshops, a Summer Series, a Children's Theatrical Production, a Puppetry Production, Exhibitions, Outreaches, and Special Projects that take place at school sites. Partnerships have been coordinated with the Universal Studios-based Nickelodeon; Very Special Arts, which serves children and adults with special needs; community organizations such as People for a Drug-Free Youth and the Black Heritage Festival; multidisciplinary organizations such as Tomoka Poets Society and Storybook Theater; and governmental agencies such as New Smyrna Beach Parks & Recreation and Volusia County Public Schools; as well as collaborations with individual artists from the region and the state. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.