SCERA Center

Arts in Orem UT

Call Denise Martin (801) 602-9552 or Jessica Rowley (801) 960-8011

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Founded in 1933, SCERA is a non-profit charitable arts organization dedicated to the development and advancement of arts and culture, arts education, and wholesome and affordable family entertainment.  Their goal is to “enrich the mind, touch the soul and unify the family.”  

With unity and determination they formed the Sharon Community (now Cultural) Education Recreation Association. Within a few years, a 745 seat Show House was built on land donated by the Church to provide a setting for the screening of popular family films and occasional live entertainment.  At its grand opening on Sept. 1, 1941, the SCERA theater featured John Wayne in the western “Shepherd of the Hills.” ​

History of the SCERA Center for the Arts
The auditorium was built without financial aid from any government, church, or outside source – the SCERA retained 100 percent control over the facility.  

In 1995, SCERA completed a new 26,508-square-foot, three-level expansion of the show house. The $2.3 million addition included a 485-seat auditorium with balcony seating and eight box seats for movies and live performances; art galleries and exhibit areas for local, regional and national shows; four multipurpose rooms for smaller performances, recitals, rehearsals, meetings, and classes and workshops in the arts; and a home for the Orem Heritage Museum.

Thanks to the Ray and Tye Noorda Family Foundation, the SCERA was given 2.5 acres with two commercial buildings east of the main center in 2006, where SCERA has opened a state-of-the art costume, prop and scene shop. A second building holds 1,000 square feet of classrooms for art instruction, including an easel room and a pottery room. ​

“It was stated that the SCERA corporate boundaries extend beyond the city limits of Orem into Provo, including everything within the boundaries of the original Sharon Stake. The officers are elected within these boundaries, providing training and educational experiences for the youth of the community. Previous to 1981, SCERA provided all the recreational programs for the City, until the Orem Recreation Center was built. At this time it was determined that Scera would provide cultural, educational and entertainment programs. The appellant stated that the Scera facilities were available to religious group at little or no charge. 

Commissioner Grover questioned the charitable activities and was told that the SCERA gives back sizable contributions to the community by terms of movie passes for low and moderate income people, free educational programs, and programs at considerable low rates. It was stated that in 1996, SCERA would use between 700-800 volunteers in the theater, pool and at the show. The volunteers receive some use privileges that are kept to a minimum because of the large number of volunteers. The appellant stated that the youth that volunteer at the SCERA facilities do it for the work experience and job training. 

Commissioner Grover read the education standard for tax exemption and the representative stated, after hearing the definition, that he felt that the SCERA qualified. The Board and the SCERA representative further discussed qualifications and use of the SCERA facilities by local schools. Commissioner Gardner made a motion that the Sharon Community Education/ Recreation Association being identified as a 501C3 organization be identified as tax exempt, to the point where property is sold, as well as the associated personal property, 19333 be identified as exempt.  Utah County