From TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), a performing arts organization consisting of the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony School of Music, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras and more, is thrilled to officially announce its upcoming relocation to the historic Masonic Temple, adjacent to the Stranahan Theater, in Toledo.
“The move to the former Masonic Temple stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering the performing arts in Toledo,” said Zak Vassar, president and CEO of TAPA. “The enhanced facilities and resources will empower our local talent, especially our budding student performers, and will provide a stable foundation for Toledo’s performing arts scene, bringing even more creative opportunities to our community. We’re beyond excited for this next chapter in TAPA’s story.”
Currently, TAPA’s many services, including music lessons, dance classes and youth orchestra rehearsals, occur on three different campuses across the greater Toledo region. Enrollment projections anticipate that TAPA will soon outgrow these facilities. The 56,000 sq. ft. former Masonic Temple will become the home for TAPA’s administrative offices and all its education offerings. This consolidation will provide a first-class facility for more than 650 music and dance students each week and create an ‘artistic hub’ for the community that supports future growth.
“One of the original visions for TAPA was to bring our education programs together under one roof,” says Rachel Schultz, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement for TAPA. “This facility not only doubles our current footprint but also provides the opportunity to synergize our educational programs and create space for real collaboration across disciplines.”
The facility will provide state-of-the-art teaching, practice, and rehearsal space for the professional musicians of the Toledo Symphony and will also include a large, professional recording studio that can accommodate a variety of recording needs.
Mainstage performances by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras will still primarily take place at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater, Valentine Theatre, and Stranahan Theater, but the new facility will include small and medium-sized performance spaces for chamber music, recitals, community programming, and more.
Local developer David K. Ball is partnering with TAPA to renovate the former Masonic Temple. Since 1985, Ball has helped to restore or improve countless commercial properties in the greater Toledo area including iconic buildings such as The Ohio Building, Gardner Building, Hylant Building, Pythian Castle, Greyhound Building, Water Street Station (Steam Plant), Woolworth & Kresge Buildings, The Superior Street Garage, and many others. “I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside TAPA to restore this historic building so that it will serve our community for decades to come,” says Ball. “I can’t imagine a more perfect use for this building which will provide multiple large spaces for everyone at TAPA and beyond to create and collaborate.”
Renovations are already underway, and TAPA expects the move-in process to begin in summer 2024. Administrative offices and activities for the Toledo Symphony School of Music will be the first to move, followed by Toledo Ballet in early 2025. The Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras are expected to begin their 2025-2026 season activities in the new facility.
In a gesture of support for Toledo’s arts community, the Owens Corning Foundation, based in Toledo, pledged a grant of $600,000 over three years to TAPA to aid in the construction of this new facility. This substantial contribution underscores Owens Corning’s commitment to fostering cultural enrichment and educational opportunities in its communities.
“We are thrilled to stand alongside the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts in its endeavor to create a dynamic and inspiring space for the arts in Toledo,” said Don Rettig, president of the Owens Corning Foundation. “The Owens Corning Foundation is dedicated to supporting initiatives that enrich the communities where we work and live. TAPA’s commitment to fostering talent and enhancing cultural experiences aligns seamlessly with our belief that investing in the arts is an investment in the well-being and vibrancy of our community.”
The Owens Corning Foundation’s grant was donated in conjunction with TAPA’s new fundraising campaign, Arts in Motion. The first phase of the campaign will focus on raising support for the new building and increasing support for TAPA’s performances, education, and community activities.
“TAPA passionately believes in the transformative power of music and dance to enrich lives,” said Brett Loney, Vice President of Development for TAPA. “Our journey, anchored by the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet’s eight decades of service to our community, is made possible through the contributions of our patrons and donors. As we transition to our new location and commence our Arts in Motion fundraising campaign, our gratitude for the community’s unwavering support deepens. Together with our community partners, we continue to weave the tapestry of culture, music, and movement for everyone to enjoy.”
For more information about the move, visit www.artstoledo.com/heatherdowns
