TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts is moving into a new building. They say that the move will not only benefit the organization, but the surrounding community as well.
“So, this week we just announced some wonderful plans. TAPA has acquired the old Masonic temple over on Heatherdowns next to the Stranahan Theater. Over the next year we are moving all of our operations over there," said Zak Vasser, CEO and President of TAPA. "Right now, we’re on three different campuses and we’re going to put everyone under one roof and it’s just going to be a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together.”
TAPA, which consists of the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony School of Music, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras, as well as other organizations, is currently spread across three campuses.
Vasser said the current space is limited, and with over 650 students in the organization, many do not get to practice and train with one another due to their not being in the same location.
The new building will help to provide the opportunity to synergize their programs, however.
"We’ll be able to have wonderful spaces for our jazz orchestra to rehearse, for the community to come and see performances, for our symphony orchestra to do recordings and of course, have all of our administrative staff alongside that," said Vasser.
Funding the project came with it's own set of challenges. However, Vice President of Development, Brett Loney said that Owens Corning and other sponsors have donated to help with the costs.
"Owens Corning is a wonderful partner in this community. They give back in so many ways and they have been a wonderful initial investor in so many projects. They are a big believer in TAPA and trying to help the community come around the performing arts," said Loney.
The alliance is beginning its move at the start of the summer.
“So, we’ll move-in in phases. We’ll move administration and the school of music this coming summer, so July or August. The ballet will move in at the beginning of 2025, and then the youth orchestras will begin in 2025 or 2026 academic calendar over there," said Vasser.
Loney said that following the announcement, the students' and community's reactions have been exciting.
“We had a wonderful experience Monday night sharing the news with our students and parents. That excitement that they shared is still lifting all of us in the work that we do. To see their excitement as they saw this news, as they saw drawings and mock ups of what this facility will look like when it’s done, their excitement about being together as fellow performing arts students... to see their excitement energizes us as the people who work everyday to make this possible," said Loney.
He says without the community's support, none of this would have been possible.
“We're really grateful for that initial vote of confidence and vote of support for what we’re doing and that enthusiastic endorsement for the community," said Loney. “Toledo has always been blessed to have great patrons, great community supporters who have helped us to have all of these great cultural treasures. And, we feel a great sense of responsibility to carry that forward with what we do at TAPA. This building gives us the ability to serve the community in better ways."
Vasser and Loney said that they are excited, and are looking forward to bringing the Masonic Temple back to life.
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