Mission and Background

Starting with the week-long grand opening of the Palladium in January 2011, the Center for the Performing Arts is an inviting gathering place for the community, along with the Center's Studio Theater and the Tarkington. Combined, the three venues are a place for community engagement and for people to celebrate great art together.

The Center is not only a haven for local theater, dance and music organizations to perform, it also provides three of the finest stages in the world playing host to the globe's most gifted performers. In each of the three venues, the Center provides a classical series featuring both domestic and international orchestras, recitals, vocalists and chambers. Dance companies perform one evening with jazz presentations staging concerts the following day.

The creation of new art is a vibrant component of our mission. We work with artists around the world to commission original symphonies, dance, theater, jazz and chamber pieces.  Likewise, the Studio Theater is a venue for young artists and those just beginning their careers.

Equally important to the talents performing on stage is the Center's architecture. Our success will be measured both by the works on stage and the inspiration found under our magnificent classical Palladio dome. There isn't any other complex built in North America where so much attention has been paid to acoustics. The Palladium will last 500 years or more, creating a legacy that will be passed along to our children and grandchildren for generations to come.

Click here to view the Center's Form 990 for the fiscal year 2009/2010.