Our Story
In May 1973, a dedicated group of Coachella Valley leaders came together as Friends of the Cultural Center, Inc. Their vision was to create a state-of-the-art performing arts center to enrich the lives of Palm Springs and Palm Desert residents. Fundraising efforts began with sold-out performances by Fred Waring, and by 1984, significant contributions from local developer Terry Hahn and board member Gerald Ford, who enlisted the support of Bob Hope, turned this vision into reality. The McCallum Theatre opened its doors in January 1988, featuring an all-star tribute to Hope, with performances by legends like Van Cliburn and Sarah Brightman. Since then, the McCallum has gained acclaim as one of the finest presenting theaters in the country, consistently ranking among the top 50 theaters worldwide based on ticket sales.