Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center

History of CMAC

In 1982, the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center was founded and in 1983 it opened on the Finger Lakes Community College campus by Marvin Sands, founder of Canandaigua Wine Company, and other community leaders. Marvin founded CMAC because he realized the important role that arts and culture play in the quality of the community.

In early 2005, a group of community leaders met with Richard Sands, Chairman of Constellation Brands, and Rob Sands, President & CEO of Constellation Brands, to discuss how their leadership, along with others in the community might pull together in continuing Marvin’s dream and ensuring that the center would not ‘go dark.’

It was then that Constellation took a leadership role in forming the Friends of CMAC, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. This group worked together to keep the center’s ‘lights on.’ The Friends of CMAC are local companies, organizations, individuals and public officials who have invested their time, talent, and expertise in keeping the music alive in our region.

Newly renovated in 2006, this $13.5 million facility is the result of a privately-funded undertaking through the sale of 54 VIP boxes. Constellation Brands secured the naming rights. This state-of-the-art facility nurtures the arts for our community and provides the ultimate venue for music and entertainment. CMAC features 5,000 covered seats and lawn seating for up to 10,000 guests.

In recent years, CMAC has attracted sold out shows and top-notch musical performers such as: Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, Kid Rock, Snoop Dogg, The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. CMAC also accommodates musical theatre, dance, ballet and children’s activities in addition to being the summer home of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.