The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) prepares for the Phase 1 opening of the Toledo Center for Live Arts, a facility designed to foster collaboration, education and performance. The new hub marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the arts in Toledo and the surrounding region.
“For more than 80 years, the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, and Toledo Jazz Orchestra have inspired audiences and students alike,” said Zak Vassar, president and CEO of TAPA. “We now honor that legacy by creating a home where students, performers, and our entire community can unite in the transformative power of live art.”
The 56,000-square-foot Toledo Center for Live Arts is a redevelopment of the historic Masonic Temple. The new facility consolidates TAPA’s administrative and educational programs, bringing together more than 650 students from the Toledo Symphony School of Music, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras and Toledo Ballet under one roof.
Phase 1 of the center’s opening will include the relocation of TAPA’s administrative teams and the start of classes for both the Toledo Symphony School of Music and Toledo Ballet. The center will also host the “Carnival of the Animals” performance as part of the Buckeye Broadband & The Blade Chamber Series.
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In addition to offering educational programs, the center will provide spaces for small and medium-sized performances. TAPA’s major performances will continue to be staged at the Peristyle Theater, Valentine Theatre, and Stranahan Theater.
“Our goal is to create a lasting, dynamic space for Toledo’s artists, audiences, and music and dance students” said Marna Ramnath, TAPA board chair in a press release. “This facility nurtures collaboration, innovation and the development of the next generation of performers. I’m certain the Toledo Center for Live Arts will bring many exciting performances to life, some of which we can’t even dream of today.”
A revitalized landmark
Attorney Richard Karcher, TAPA Board Vice Chair, explained that after evaluating more than a dozen potential sites, the Masonic Temple stood out as the perfect location.
“It was clear that our different constituencies had many items on their wish lists for a combined facility,” he said. “We evaluated more than a dozen properties, including new construction, former retail spaces, and historic reuse. And locations that were rural, suburban and urban. When we were introduced to the Masonic Temple, largely empty since the 2000s, it seemed that our answer was hiding right in plain sight. It was unusually ideal for our needs.”
TAPA turned to local developer David Ball, known for revitalizing several iconic Toledo buildings, to transform the Masonic Temple. Ball, who has worked on projects such as the Ohio Building and Pythian Castle, believes the building is uniquely suited for TAPA’s needs.
“When you look at this building’s characteristics, you just can’t imagine a better place for TAPA to be,” Ball said. “It’s got big rooms that are ideal for dance classes and symphony rehearsals. We added windows and a significant amount of natural light to the second story. You just can’t build this kind of structure today—everything here is stone, concrete, and marble. This is going to be an absolute palace for the performing arts!”
TAPA acquired the building in November 2023, with the total project cost estimated at $8 million.
More to come
The Phase 1 opening is only the beginning of TAPA’s vision for the Toledo Center for Live Arts. Future phases will include the addition of a student lounge, a large recording studio and a flexible performance space capable of hosting up to 400 attendees. A grand opening is scheduled for Summer 2025, marking the full realization of the space.
In Fall 2025, the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras will begin residency at the center, further cementing its role as a hub for arts education and performance.
“We send our thanks to the countless supporters who share our vision for what this building will become,” said Brett Loney, TAPA’s vice president of development. “This includes individual donors, foundations, and corporations who have helped us raise more than $3.4M toward this project. We share their enthusiasm and can’t wait to introduce this building to our community.”
Learn more about the Toledo Center for Live Arts and upcoming events at artstoledo.com.
