Columbia County Board of Commissioners and County Management is pleased to announce a partnership with iNNOVATiON Arts & Entertainment (IAE) as the Booking Consultant and Theatrical Series Presenter for the Columbia County Performing Arts Center. Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted on and approved the partnership with IAE at the Commission Meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

Columbia County will self-manage the Performing Arts Center, and oversee the day to day operations of the facility. IAE will work closely with the county towards and through the completion of the venue, helping to ensure it is equipped to effectively and efficiently host a variety of Broadway shows, concerts, and events. IAE will also assist in the recruiting of the facility management staff as well as offering ongoing technical consultation.

In addition, IAE will serve as the booking agent for the theater, the producer of its Broadway Series, bringing the best of touring Broadway shows directly from New York, and will manage ticketing for the venue.

“The Columbia County Performing Arts Center will truly be the jewel of Eastern Georgia. Thanks to its state-of-the-art design, this beautiful facility will be able to host the best that touring Broadway has to offer. Shows like Wicked, to Lion King, and Hamilton will be able to grace its stage without compromise, so audiences can see the shows as they are designed to be seen. On behalf of the IAE family, we could not be more excited about delivering the shows that audiences have been craving for decades. The future for entertainment in the Columbia/Augusta/Richmond County region sure is bright!” said Adam Epstein, CEO of Innovation Arts & Entertainment (known as IAE).

County Manager Scott Johnson added, “This partnership is the best of both worlds. Columbia County will have the advantage of maintaining control of its largest single investment while leaving the shows to a professional group. IAE presents over 300 ticketed events in more than 75 cities annually. Adding our new PAC to this impressive group’s assets is a win/win.”

The county is excited about the partnership with IAE and the future of the Performing Arts Center.