Past performances include the Girl Singers of the Hit Parade, Larry Carlton, Louie Anderson, Lori Lane, Richard Marx, Church Basement Ladies, Melissa Manchester, Bill Engvall, Nick Colionne, Celtic Crossroads, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, Elizabeth Gilbert, Rob Lake, Tommy Emmanuel, Sinbad, Ralphie May, Dakota Valley Symphony, Chameleon Theater Circle, Miss Minnesota USA/Teen USA, and Cirque D’Or.

[1][2] Plans to build the arts center in Burnsville originated with Partners for Tomorrow, a citizen-based community forum convened in 1993 and 1994.

A building contract was finally drawn in September 2007 between the city and Lund Martin Construction Inc.[3] The space was designed by Ankeny Kell Architects of St. Paul.

The mission is to celebrate the visual arts by displaying a diverse collection of artwork from local emerging and professional artists.

Meeting rooms can be split in half with an air wall to separate groups or completely opened to accommodate 100 guests in a theatre style setup.

The upper lobby, approximately 4,000 sq ft (370 m2), can seat up to 250 patrons for banquets, wedding receptions, trade shows booths and other special events.

Windows are floor to ceiling offering views of Nicollet Commons Park and the Minnesota River and the Minneapolis skyline to the north.

The Ames Center's main stage is home to the Dakota Valley Symphony, a non-profit, volunteer community arts organization.