“I believe the Hall will eventually be a community landmark that residents will come to know as a place of learning and enjoyment. The Civic Center campus draws a number of higher-level, sophisticated presentations and events but is lacking a suitable facility to properly host them. The Hall would complete this need at a level that is expected in and of Newport Beach.” Thomas Johnson, Publisher Stu News Newport Stu News Laguna

Witte Hall Is Open!

“Places like the proposed Lecture Hall are what takes a community from good to great. It promotes community and serves as a place for interactivity, learning and the building of social capital.” Steve Rosansky, President & CEO The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce

“With the rapid change in technology, on demand independent news sources, and access to the world through our phones, a CENTER like this is necessary for a world class city such as Newport Beach.” Meghan E. McNulty, President Law Offices of Meghan E. McNulty Board of Advisors Newport Beach Foundation

“As the official nonprofit arts agency for the County of Orange, we routinely take the pulse of artists and arts organizations throughout our community. Beyond funding, the greatest need expressed to us is for performance and exhibition space. Understandably, spaces at schools and colleges are primarily for curricular use and rarely available. A space like Witte Hall is greatly anticipated by area performing arts groups—from grass roots community ensembles to worldclass professional companies. These will supplement the Newport Beach Public Library’s own presentations with a depth and variety of offerings that will enrich community members of all ages and backgrounds for many years to come. In a short period of time, Witte Hall will become a much-beloved cultural asset that people will wonder how they could ever have lived without.” Richard Stein, President & CEO Arts Orange County

“The proposed Lecture Hall will be one of those community amenities that once it is in operation, many will wonder how we were able to do without it for so long! It will stimulate a robust variety of programs and offerings that will allow many more residents to enjoy and benefit from. I am excited about the possibilities it will add to Newport Beach.” Homer Bludau Former Newport Beach City Manager Civic Leader

“Newport Beach is truly blessed with an abundance of assets from our aspirational lifestyle to our crown jewel: Newport Harbor. One thing we need more of, however, is quality meeting space for the community as well as for special events and meeting groups. For example, our Film Festival, which has grown significantly over the last several years, needs to use Costa Mesa venues to accommodate screenings. Although our hotels have some very nice space, it doesn’t fulfill the demand from community events to client meetings and events, The new Witte Hall will be a wonderful asset that will not only support Newport Beach residents and community groups but also corporate and association clients who need an attractive auditorium venue when visiting and doing business in the city.” Gary Sherwin, President & CEO Newport Beach & Company

The Inaugural Season

Beyond Books

From Campaign…

…To Reality!

To Engage Learners • To Inspire Thinkers • To Nurture Civic Connections

Witte Hall, along with its companion Stahr Courtyard, will transform the way our community gathers, learns, and celebrates. This stunning new auditorium and outdoor space takes its place as the “Jewel in the Crown” of the Newport Beach Central Library and Civic Center campus — bringing informative and entertaining programming to life, enriching lives, and inspiring pride for generations to come.

With tiered, cushioned seating for 299 patrons, advanced stage lighting and audio-visual technology, and exceptional acoustics, Witte Hall is designed to host it all — lectures, musical performances, documentary screenings, family programs, and everything in between. The beautiful Stahr Courtyard expands the possibilities further, offering space for pre- and post-event gatherings, as well as standalone community, family, and business events.

As with the Central Library itself, which opened its doors 32 years ago, Witte Hall was made possible through the enduring public/private partnership between the Library Foundation and the City of Newport Beach.

Designed by award-winning architect Robert R. Coffee Architect + Associates, Witte Hall will now host the many literary, cultural, and scientific programs already offered by the Library Foundation and the Library. Explore the full lineup in our Inaugural Season Program, or elsewhere on the Library Foundation and Newport Beach Library websites.