Long Beach City College Celebrates Grand Opening of Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center

$102 Million Facility Honors Late Music Icon and LBCC Alumna

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:08pm

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Long Beach City College (LBCC) and the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the new $102 million Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art complex that will serve as the home for LBCC's Performing Arts, Music, Dance, and Radio/TV/Broadcasting programs. The facility honors the legacy of the late Latin music icon and LBCC alumna Jenni Rivera.

Why it matters

The new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center represents a significant investment in arts education and the legacy of one of LBCC's most famous alumni. It will provide world-class training facilities for future generations of artists and performers, while also serving as a community hub and honoring Rivera's impact on Latin music and culture.

The details

The 67,331-square-foot complex includes a 263-seat auditorium, a 'black box' multipurpose performance space, dance and rehearsal studios, broadcast studios, and an outdoor performance stage. The facility was funded by local voters through Measures E and LB, as well as the State of California, and was designed to meet LEED Silver certification standards. The Jenni Rivera estate also made a generous donation to the project.

  • Construction began in July 2023.
  • The building officially opened for classes in the Spring 2026 semester.

The players

Uduak-Joe Ntuk

LBCC Board of Trustees President.

Dr. Mike Muñoz

LBCC Superintendent-President, whose vision led to approaching the Rivera family.

Jacqie Rivera

Representing the Rivera Family Estate.

DLR Group

The building architect.

Bernards Construction

The general contractor.

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What they’re saying

“As we open the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center, we celebrate a remarkable new facility, and the enduring legacy of an artist whose voice resonated far beyond the stage.”

— Uduak-Joe Ntuk, LBCC Board of Trustees President

“The Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center represents possibility for every student who walks through its doors. Our students will now train and perform in spaces that reflect the modern standards of today's creative industries. Seeing Jenni Rivera's name on this center reinforces what we want every student to understand: their goals are achievable no matter where they start.”

— Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President

“The Jenni Rivera family is honored to see her name live on in a space that uplifts our culture and our community. This center is more than a building—it's a reminder to the next generation that their stories, their voices, and their dreams matter. We hope it inspires young artists to embrace who they are and carry our culture forward with pride.”

— Jacqie Rivera, Representing the Rivera Family Estate

What’s next

The Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center will host its first public performances and events in the Fall 2026 semester.

The takeaway

The Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center represents a significant investment in arts education and the legacy of one of LBCC's most famous alumni. It will provide world-class training facilities for future generations of artists and performers, while also serving as a community hub and honoring Rivera's impact on Latin music and culture.