Schwartz Center for Performing Arts exterior. Photo by Mark Teague.
Schwartz Center for Performing Arts
Since the Schwartz Center opened, the arts have assumed a more visible, central place on Emory's campus. Because the arts are among the most exalted and enduring cultural achievements of civilization, Emory is proud to provide a place where cultivation of the arts through teaching, learning, encouragement, and stewardship can thrive.
Completed in early 2003, thanks to the generous support of Donna and Marvin Schwartz, the centerpiece of the Donna and Marvin Schwartz Schwartz Center for Performing Arts is the 825-seat Cherry Logan Emerson Concert Hall featuring a custom-built Daniel Jaeckel Opus 45 pipe organ with 54 stops and 3,605 pipes in a cherry-wood case.
Lead architect Michael Dennis designed the Schwartz Center in a style reflecting the original Henry Hornbostel architecture at Emory and complementing the Druid Hills environs. Michael Dennis and Associates of Boston led the architectural team in association with Howard-Montgomery-Steger of New Orleans and Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart of Atlanta. Theatrical design services were provided by Theatre Projects of Westport, Connecticut and construction was provided by Atlanta-based contractor Holder Construction. Acoustical elements throughout the facility were designed by the renowned Kirkegaard and Associates.
The Schwartz Center gratefully acknowledges the generous ongoing support of Donna and Marvin Schwartz.
View the press release regarding the completion of the Schwartz Center.
Virtual tour is made possible by Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
Schwartz Center Staff
The Schwartz Center for Performing Arts and Music at Emory honor Matt Williamson, whose career as an audio engineer with the Schwartz Center spanned more than two decades. Matt lost his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on July 20, 2024, at the age of 48.
Matt worked with many famous artists throughout his career, and a number of his recordings were played on National Public Radio, but he will primarily be remembered for his passion for all music and for always going above and beyond in service to the live performances at the Schwartz Center. In recognition of his many contributions, the sound booth was named in Matt’s honor in 2016 and the acoustic modulation system in Emerson Concert Hall is being dedicated in his memory.