TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts will have a new home beginning in summer of this year.
With help from a $600,000 grant over three years from the Owens Corning Foundation, the performing arts collective consisting of the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony School of Music, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras and more, will be moving into the old Masonic Temple located adjacent to the Stranahan Theater on Heatherdowns Boulevard in Toledo.
TAPA said that the new facility will provide a state-of-the-art teaching, practice and rehearsal space for musicians with the Toledo Symphony. It will also include a large, professional recording studio to accommodate a variety of recording needs.
"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.”
The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts currently holds its services across three different campuses. Enrollment projections anticipate that TAPA will outgrow its current facilities. The move to the 56,000-square-foot Masonic Temple will allow TAPA to provide all its educational offerings in one place.
By consolidating into one space, TAPA said it will provide a first-class facility for more than 650 students each week and create an "artistic hub" for the community and support growth into the future.
"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."
Performances by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras will still primarily be held at Toledo Museum of Art's Peristyle Theater, Valentine Theatre and Stranahan Theater. However, the new facility will include small and medium-sized performance spaces for chamber music, recitals and community programming.
Renovations, being done by local developer David K. Ball, are already underway and Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts expects the move-in process to begin in the summer starting with administrative offices and activities for the Toledo Symphony School of Music, 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.
The grant from Owens Corning Foundation was donated in conjunction with a new fundraising campaign launched by TAPA.
"We are thrilled to stand alongside the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts in their 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."
“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.”
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