Frequently Asked Questions

There is no "standard" performing arts center. Some have one multi-purpose auditorium, others have several performing spaces of different sizes, and still others have different spaces designed specifically for different art forms.

Some centers rely primarily on outside touring companies that stop for only one or two nights. Others have professional resident theatre companies that produce the same quality shows as those on Broadway. Often these centers feature dance companies, orchestras, opera, popular Grammy stars, and special events for children and families. Many performing arts centers contain other attractions such as art galleries, educational facilities, and stores.

For three reasons: Economic, Education, and Entertainment. A new center will act as a strong economic engine for our region. In addition it will serve as an anchor for the redevelopment of Gaines Street. By working with our universities, community college, and local school system it will enhance learning opportunities from kindergarten through graduate school. It will provide a sorely needed quality hall for traveling Broadway shows, symphony concerts, country music and hip-hop and everything in between. For some it will be their first opportunity to experience a production in a quality performing arts center.

Picture the impact of 400, 500 or 600 performances per year. Each performance will bring 300 to 3,000 people to our downtown. It will draw people from all over our state and region to attend concerts, plays, and other performances. It will provide jobs and will create an important anchor to assist in the re-birth of downtown and the Gaines Street corridor.

The 2007 RAND Institute recently studied the impact that such centers have had throughout the country. The study showed a 24% increase in economic activity over the past 5 years. They also found that they can be vital components to economic improvement and neighborhood revitalization.
In Florida the Arts and Cultural industry is one of the fastest growing in the state. Since 1997 this industry has grown from $1.7 billion to over $3 billion and supports over 28,000 jobs. Each year over $10.9 billion in personal income is generated in cultural, historical and library reflected industries..

We plan to touch students of all ages.

Just as sports provide a valuable stimulus for many students, volumes of studies demonstrate the direct link between exposure to the arts and improved academic performance. Like a library, museum, or art gallery, a performing arts center can act as a center of important cultural enrichment. From matinee performances to student-run events, the Center will act as a vital link between classroom and real-world performance arts education.

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts reports that students who partipate in and study the arts:

The Center will also enrich and be enriched by our exceptional university-level artists. With a world-class film school, and nationally recognized music and performance arts colleges there will be limitless opportunities for the Center to integrate and collaborate with our Universities, our Community College and their respective performance leaders.

No one knows. You will determine what we build. Not one penny will be spent on design until the people of this community decide whether to extend our existing 1% sales tax. Then, through direct volunteer efforts, input at various community forums, or comments on the wesite you can help decide what is built and what we can afford.

Our consultants for the pre-construction phase -- Theatre Project Consultants -- recommend: two performing venues: 1) a mid-sized multi-purpose theatre with up to 650 seats and 2) a large concert/performance hall with up to 2,200 seats. Available dollars and community input will make the final decision.

We do not. Surveys show that our resources are bursting at the seams. Currently we have limited access to halls located at our Community College and Universities, but they are under enormous time constraints. Further, the largest and most popular venue, Ruby Diamond Auditorium, is undergoing major renovations and will be closed for about two years. When it re-opens it will have fewer seats and will essentially be completely booked for FSU-related events. Our Civic Center is a fantastic venue for sporting events but is simply unusable for the performing arts.

No new taxes! With no major corporations based in our region, we must be resourceful and creative. Currently we are attempting to prove grass root support by soliciting two types of cash contributions:

CHARTER MEMBERS will be those who contribute $250.00 (or more) to this effort.

PACT* Members will be donors who contribute - in any amount up to $249.

We are striving for 1,000 contributors in each category. Both groups will be permanently recognized in the completed Performing Arts Center; all contributions are 100% tax deductible. For further information go to Membership / Community Challenge.

In addition, the City and County Commissions have asked the community to pursue a $20 million private sector fundraising effort. This is the largest goal ever attempted here.

If you would like to be contacted about one of The Florida Center’s Naming Opportunities go to Membership / Naming Opportunities/Benefits

Grants along with state and federal dollars will be pursued.

However, the ultimate source of funding will be determined by the voters of this community. We voted to levy a 1% sales tax on ourselves for environmental and transportation improvements. If we vote to extend this existing tax, this would provide the major dollars.

The voters will decide.

Until we decide what we are going to build, no one knows. We do know that these facilities are expensive, averaging $375 per square foot. Along with jails and hospitals, Performing Arts Centers are the most expensive facilities to construct.

As with most decisions, it is a matter of priority. Did you realize that the 3± mile improvement to Capital Circle SW (from Highway 20 to Crawfordville Highway) is projected to cost between $70 – 100 Million? This is just for the Right of Way – not construction.

Why can’t this be built with dollars from the Private Sector?

Tallahassee is a government town – state capital, two universities and a community college. Our communities average household income of $52,000 a year is comfortable, but few receive the famous coporate bonuses. This has insulated us from many of the economic problems facing other comunities. The down side is that we have no major corporate presence to help fund community projects. Therefore, for other major efforts – for example Bragg Stadium, Doak Campbell Stadium, Cascades Park, and the Civic Center, we have been forced to ask for governments’ help.

For the first time in our community’s history, a $20 Million tentative goal from the private sector has been set. This significant private effort coupled with a 2-3 year extension of the sales tax – if approved by the volters – makes this project doable.

Unfortunately we didn't start this 5 or 6 years ago when the economy was booming. If we don’t start now, we won’t be ready for the next healthy cycle. Now is the time to begin.

No. Our first priority will be to seek funds from private sources. But large private donors will want to know that there is also a strong public commitment. Therefore, this community will be asked to vote to extend the existing 1% sales tax. No new property taxes.

We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to locate the center in the heart of our downtown. Click here for detailed informaton.

The process has several phases: pre-construction, architectural design, and construction. Phase One -- pre-construction – which determined what we needed and where it will be, has been completed. We now know the size, configuration, and site for the facility.

How fast this project will move forward will depend on many factors, including how quickly a fundraising plan can be developed and implemented. The average length of time from pre-construction to opening night is six to eight years.

Right now, we already have numerous retail spaces in the Gaines Street and downtown areas that are sitting vacant. With several hundred events a year, patrons will want and need places to shop or eat both before and after performances.

Performing Arts Centers are among the most complicated of all building types, second only to hospitals and jails in complexity. The extensive knowledge and experience the consultants brought to this project allows us to make the right decisions for Tallahassee and avoid critical and costly mistakes other communities have made.

Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc. was the consultant for Phase I. They are one of the top performing arts center consultants in the world. They have worked on more than 800 projects in 50 countries over the past 47 years, and have offices in Connecticut, London, and Singapore. They are experts who specialize in the design of theatres and performance spaces. They have state-of-the-art knowledge of acoustics, seating design, theatrical equipment, ADA, site selection, operations and budgeting, and other essential areas. You can find out more about them at their web site at www.TPCworld.com.

Community input is very important, and a number of open meetings are being arranged to make sure everyone is heard. These meetings will be advertised on this web site and through the media.

You can also voice your opinions through the Contact Us / Comments on this website.