Lights, Camera, Inclusion!

Welcome to the Palm Springs Cultural Center

The Palm Springs Cultural Center includes a wide range of programs including film festivals, farmers’ markets, live performances, art installations and lecture series.  These all act as creative inspiration points—expanding our learning and building meaningful relationships with the people and the environment around us.

A Brief History

The original 625 seat Camelot Theatre was opened in 1967. The heralded state-of-the-art cinema, equipped to the standards only three other theatres in the U.S., debuted with a star-studded screening of “Dr. Zhivago.” The screening was a benefit for the United Fund.

In 1971 a new Camelot II Theatre was built alongside the original Camelot Theatre.

Over time the Theatre crowds diminished and was eventually closed in 1992.  In 1999, Ric and Rozene Supple, owners of RR Broadcasting, purchased the Camelot Theatres building and renovated the complex. It reopened as the Festival of Arts Theatres.

“The goal was to bring culture and arts to the Coachella Valley,” explains Timothy Rains, Public Relations Manager for the Palm Springs Cultural Center. “And even though that sounds generic, it’s a bigger task than it sounds.

The theatres also once more became the home for The Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs Festival of Short Films and an ever-growing list of other prestigious events.

A Community Hub

“Palm Springs comes together at this hub. We’re definitely a community hub,” explains Timothy. According to his playbook, the audience always takes center stage. “When we look at programming, we look at what is going on out there, what’s trending in Palm Springs and what can we bring to light?”

The answer is a kaleidoscope of mixed media and mirth.

Entertainment

“We also are starting a live music series, with concerts both inside and outdoors. For example, we have Tuesday night jazz.  For programing, we are looking at live theater, live music, and film festivals. And then on top of all that we have art exhibition,” explains Timothy. “There’s just so much going on and we have so much to offer both visitor and residents.”

“When I think about a lot of what we offer on the entertainment sort of venue side, I feel like we fit that community niche. It’s kind of like the Cheers bar. We’re the place where you go, everybody knows your name, come hang out, we have a lot going on, and we’re at that right spot. We’re also starting drag shows and speakers. It’s kind of crazy!”

Cinema Diverse is dedicated to advancing and further strengthening our diverse gay community through the establishment of a world-class film festival that presents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from around the world. It features an exciting and varied combination of Feature Films & Short Films from around the world celebrating LGBTQ+ Cinema.

“We also have a variety of markets, including Certified Farmers’ Market, local Artisan Markets, and of course our famous Tiki Market.

Mission

The Palm Springs Cultural Center has been fulfilling its mission—incubating, producing, and encouraging arts and cultural programs in order to leverage the unique power of creativity to open minds, bridge what divides us, and discover what connects us. They do this important work because they believe these programs can be transformative, and that they are vital to the overall health and productivity of our community.

Palm Springs Cultural Center

2300 E. Baristo Rd. –  (760) 325-6565