In the photo – (L to R) Straz Center President Greg Holland, Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen, Immediate Past Straz Board Chair Gary Sasso, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa City Councilwoman and CRA Board Chair Gwendolyn Henderson and Straz Board Chair Bill West. Photo by James Luedde.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce a transformative expansion project that will usher in a new era for Tampa’s arts and culture scene. With a significant investment in this initiative, the Straz Center is set to inspire a new generation of arts patrons by delivering a cutting-edge, inclusive performing arts experience for the 21st century.

This expansion will dramatically enhance the Straz Center’s ability to reach and serve the broader Tampa Bay community. Key upgrades include state-of-the-art performance venues, modern public spaces, and expanded facilities for educational programming in music, theater, and dance. These improvements will support a broader range of performances and community events, while also making the arts more accessible than ever.

“Our goal is to ensure that every Tampa resident, regardless of income, has the opportunity to experience and participate in the performing arts,” said [Insert Name], [Insert Title] of the Straz Center. “This expansion is about more than physical space—it’s about deepening our commitment to education, outreach, and cultural inclusion.”

The project will significantly increase the Straz Center’s capacity to offer community outreach programs aimed at educating Tampa’s aspiring young actors, dancers, and musicians. By expanding access and opportunity, the Straz Center is investing in the future of the arts and in the creative potential of Tampa’s youth.

This bold expansion also strengthens Tampa’s position on the global cultural map, firmly establishing the Straz Center among the world’s leading performing arts institutions. As the city continues to rise as a vibrant cultural and economic powerhouse, the Straz Center remains at the heart of this momentum—uniting communities and connecting Tampa to the world through the universal language of the arts.