About Us
The Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts, home to Weber State’s School of Performing Arts, serves as a cultural hub for northern Utah. We welcome thousands of guests each year for a variety of performances hosted by WSU and community partners.
Founded in 1962 as the Fine Arts Center, our building has gone through many changes. Val A. Browning, a passionate community member and honorary doctorate degree recipient, was influential in making the center what it is today, helping fund the many facilities and programs housed in the building. In 1978, the center was renamed to the Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts to honor Browning’s many contributions. The Browning family has continued to support the center, allowing Browning’s legacy to continue enriching lives.
To learn more about our venue, visit one of our pages below to learn about our accessibility offerings, venue details and third party offerings.
Val A. Browning Center Timeline
1962
Construction of the Fine Arts Center begins
1964
Phase 1, including Austad Auditorium, completed
1965
Dedication of Center
1966
Phase 2, including Allred Theater, completed
1967
Val A. Browning donates $1,800 for university convocation program
1967-76
Browning contributions allows for purchase of a Bossendorfer piano, Allen Digital Organ and sound system
1978
Browning establishes a trust fund with one-million dollar donation to draw world-renowned artists to perform in the building.
1978
Weber State University renames the center in honor of Val A. Browning
1985
Austad stage floor is replaced, making it the finest ballet performance area in the region at the time
1989
Wenger, full-stage acoustical shell brings near-perfect acoustics to Austad Auditorium
1997
Building is closed for remodeling and expansion
1999
Building is reopened and dedicated
2005
Rigging replacements made in Allred Theater and Austad Auditorium
2014
Austad Auditorium sound system upgraded
2015
Dedicated practice rooms made available for student in the School of Performing Arts
2020
During the pandemic, half million spent on updating lighting, sound and video equipment
2022
Kimber recording studio completed
2023
OGX route completed, making the building more accessible to everyone
Employment
Val A. Browning Center is a professionally-staffed, world-class performing arts and convention venue. We have approximately 60 employees that have roles supporting front and back of house duties. Each employee not only brings a valuable set of skills to the job but are given the opportunity to gain proficiency with real world techniques.
If you are interested in joining our team, visit the Weber State jobs website and search for positions in the Browning Center department.
Contact Us
Public Hours
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone
801-626-7000
Location
Weber State University
Val A. Browning Center, Room 105
Mailing Address
3950 West Campus Dr Dept 1901
Ogden, UT 84408-1