Marvin Sands, founder of Canandaigua Wine Company, realized the important role that the arts and culture play in the quality of a community. In 1982, he along with other community leaders founded the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center, which is located on the Finger Lakes Community College campus.

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 his 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 the CMAC, a not-for-profit 501(c ) (3) organization. This group worked together to keep the "center's lights on." The Friends 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.

With these enhancements, CMAC has attracted top-notch musical performers, such as Kenny Chesney, Bob Dylan, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as accommodate musical theater, dance, ballet and children’s activities in addition to being the summer home of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.