Straz Center for the Performing Arts
• The Southeast’s largest nonprofit presenting, producing and educating cultural institution
• 9-acre riverside campus downtown Tampa, FL includes six distinct performance venues, seating from 100 to 2,600, and our fully accredited Patel Conservatory
• Welcomes average of 600,000 visitors and serves 70,000 through extensive arts education and community engagement outreach programs each year
The Southeast’s largest nonprofit presenting, producing and educating cultural institution, Straz Center opened in 1987 and is perhaps best known for presenting and producing a diverse menu of more than 1,200 shows and events each year, from Broadway touring shows to grand opera, classical and contemporary dance and music, immersive arts events, comedy, and more.
Our on-site, fully accredited Patel Conservatory is home to the award-winning Next Generation Ballet pre-professional training program, and provides year-round training in music, dance and theater at all levels of experience. Patel teaching artists also deliver free high quality arts education to 40+ under-resourced schools, shelters and agencies across the Tampa Bay region.
Our extensive Arts Education and Community Engagement programs and community partnerships help us to achieve our mission: to inspire, educate and connect our community through the power of shared performing arts experiences. We envision a world where performing arts centers are fearless champions for artistic innovation and bold storytelling.
Programs & Activities
As a charter Creative Forces(R) NEA Military Healing Arts Network community demonstration project site, we have a strong commitment to Arts and Health programming.
Today this includes our Arts + Mind Village Chats virtual series and annual Convening; Kaleidoscope Arts and Health free performance series; free workshops and master classes; veteran-led programming for our military community; opportunities for artist professional development, and more: https://www.strazcenter.org/community-impact/arts-and-health/
On May 20, 2026 Straz Center will host our 5th Annual Arts + Mind Village Convening in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University’s International Arts + Mind Lab. This event creates an engaging environment where scientists, researchers, medical professionals, artists and community members discuss and demonstrate the impact and actualization of arts and healing.