The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

World class performances come to Shawnee State University's Vern Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth Ohio.

The mission of the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association (SOPAA) is to provide an affordable variety of outstanding performing arts presentations to enrich, educate, and entertain the people of the Tri-State area.

The history of bringing professional performers to Scioto County dates back to the early 20th Century when a local auxiliary organization began presenting concerts. This practice grew to become an organization itself, known as Civic Music under whose auspices many renowned artists were heard by local audiences. Then, in the 1950's, came the alliance with Columbia Artists Management, Inc. of New York (CAMI) and it was called "Southern Ohio Community Concerts Association." This represented a more structured approach and a much broader ‘menu' from which the local association could choose their program.

Explore Related Categories