Built on an abandoned gravel lot in a city that was lacking cultural offerings, the Straz Center began as the dream of a community.  Today the Straz Center is the largest performing arts center in the Southeast and the only one with an on-site performing arts conservatory. The Straz Center was incorporated in 1980 and opened in 1987.

In the early 1990s, the Straz Center (then known as Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) established arts education as a community priority, working closely with area public, private and home school programs to enhance arts education for children throughout the seven-county Tampa Bay area. Outreach programs included curriculum connectors to Florida education standards and teacher study guides in print and online. The Straz Center’s extended in-school artistic residencies, summer programs and after school offerings helped to fill the increasing gaps in arts education left by budget cuts. Since 1991 the Straz Center’s Education department housed programs such as Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra and Community Arts Ensemble, a free summer theater day camp that served urban children in need by connecting them with nationally known artists in a rehearsal-based process. Each summer, an original musical play was written and produced especially for that year’s group of up to 100 children to perform in a fully-staged production for friends and family in one of the Straz Center’s main halls.

ARTS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Deadline to complete the application (linked here) is May 1, 2021.

What is the mission of the Straz Center’s Arts Education Partnership Program?
The Straz Center’s Arts Education Partnership Program develops ongoing educational performing arts experiences with community organizations and after-school programs. Through these partnerships, we help organizations design a curriculum that offers a variety of arts experiences for instructors, students and their families.

What is an arts education partner?
An arts education partner is a school, agency, community organization or after-school program selected by the Straz Center to develop educational performing arts experiences based on need and expressed commitment. Through these programs, community partners will gain a true appreciation for the performing arts and strengthen their arts education experience.

How are arts education partners served by the Straz Center?
The Patel Conservatory works with partner organizations to design and provide exceptional educational outreach experiences. Outreaches are defined as services we provide to you at your location or at the conservatory: master classes, workshops, lecture/demonstrations, invitations to attend final dress rehearsals for performances as well as complimentary tickets for Straz Center or Patel Conservatory shows.

How can my organization apply and when is the deadline?
Applications are currently available. All applications must be received by Saturday, May 1, 2021. For more information, contact our Community Programs Department at communityprograms@strazcenter.org or 813.222.6425.