The O'Shaughnessy is located on the St. Paul campus of St. Catherine University, conveniently between the downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The O'Shaughnessy Auditorium opened in 1970 and immediately began its first dazzling season. Early tenants were the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Schubert Club. Some of the first world-class artists to perform in the hall were Metropolitan Opera Tenor Robert Tucker and Soprano Leontyne Price and film stars Vincent Prince and Agnes Morehead.

For the past 40 years, The O'Shaughnessy has been a venue for nearly every type of performance. During the first 15 years of operation the hall was filled with classical, orchestral, and modern music. After the construction of the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, and Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, The O'Shaughnessy established itself as a venue for regional and local dance community organizations such as CAAM Chinese Dance, The James Sewell Ballet, TU Dance, Katha Dance, Ballet Minnesota, Out on a Limb and countless others.

In addition, The O'Shaughnessy regularly hosts popular concerts. The list of performers is long including kd lang, Peter Yarrow, John Denver, Elvis Costello, Jewel, Joan Baez, Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle, Emmy Lou Harris, Brandie Carlile. Famous speakers have included Dr. Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Madeleine Albright. Comedians Jay Leno and a young Steve Martin have performed, as well as Broadway stars Lily Tomlin, Joel Gray, and Ben Vereen.

The O'Shaughnessy holds a unique place in the the cultural landscape of the Twin Cities as both an arts presenter and rental hall.