Toledo, April 30, 2024 – The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), a performing arts organization consisting of the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony School of Music, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras and more, gratefully announces a $1M donation from Pat and MaryLouise Bowe. Their donation will support TAPA’s relocation and remodel of the historic Masonic Temple, adjacent to the Stranahan Theater, in Toledo, for its new Center for the Performing Arts. Pat Bowe has dedicated seven years of service to the TAPA Board of Directors, during which time he notably assumed the role of Chairman from 2022 to 2023 and continues to serve on the board.
“We are excited to be a part of this transformational step forward for TAPA and the arts in Toledo. TAPA's commitment to establishing a top-tier facility for music and dance education underscores its dedication to nurturing the youth in our community. This initiative promises to be a cornerstone in providing accessible and exceptional music and dance education opportunities, enriching the lives of young people and fostering a vibrant cultural landscape in our city,” said Pat Bowe.
As announced in January, the 56,000 sq. ft. former Masonic Temple will become the home for all of TAPA’s current education offerings. This consolidation will provide a premier facility for more than 650 music and dance students each week and create an ‘artistic hub’ for the community that supports future growth. The facility will provide state-of-the-art teaching, practice, and rehearsal space for the professional musicians of the Toledo Symphony and will also include a large, professional recording studio that can accommodate a variety of recording needs, as well as TAPA’s administrative offices.
Mainstage performances by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras will primarily take place at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater, Valentine Theatre, and Stranahan Theater, but the new facility will include small and medium-sized performance spaces for chamber music, recitals, community programming, and more.
“Pat and I share a deep passion for providing comprehensive education to all children, including exposure to the performing arts. This new facility will serve as an artistic hub not only for Toledo but also for the surrounding communities. It will provide a platform for diverse artistic expression and opportunities for individuals of all ages to engage with and appreciate the performing arts. Through its multifaceted approach to programming, this facility will enrich the cultural landscape of the region and foster creativity, learning, and community involvement,” said MaryLouise Bowe.
“We are deeply grateful to Pat and MaryLouise for their leadership in advancing our vision for performing arts education. TAPA’s new Center for the Performing Arts will be an incredible resource for Toledo, and we are thrilled to partner with them to bring this vibrant new arts hub to life,” said Zak Vassar, President and CEO of TAPA.
In recognition of their gift, a prominent space in the new facility will be named in honor of the Bowe Family. The Bowe Family Commons will be the primary first floor gathering space and the building’s hub. It will serve as a place for staff collaboration during the workday and a student/parent gathering space during lessons and rehearsals in the afternoon and evenings.
“This gift provides powerful momentum for our Arts in Motion campaign and will inspire others to participate in this transformative effort. We appreciate the Bowe’s leadership and know that it will have a profound impact on students for many years to come,” said Brett Loney, TAPA’s Vice President of Development.
“This facility is an investment in our community’s future. Performing arts education can transform the lives of young people in Toledo, and we invite the community to join us in supporting this project,” said Pat Bowe.
The new facility, currently under renovation, is expected to open in phases beginning in the fall of 2024.
In addition to the Bowe’s gift, TAPA has also received an additional $1M commitment from an anonymous donor to support both the building campaign and the Symphony’s endowment. This anonymous gift is in honor of Bob Bell, Toledo Symphony’s President Emeritus, who has been involved with the Toledo Symphony for 68 years.
About TAPA
The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) strives to establish meaningful partnerships with individuals and organizations that fundamentally impact the cultural life of our region. A performing arts collective consisting of the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony School of Music, and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras, TAPA is a vibrant and growing organization that empowers all in our region to experience the performing arts through concerts, recitals, education programs, private lessons, community outreach, fully staged productions, and more. For more information about TAPA or to learn how to get involved, visit the TAPA website at artstoledo.com.
