DOWNTOWN - This year, Downtown’s long ailing arts and entertainment scene is set to receive a shot in the arm. In it will be a guaranteed cure composed of a mix of grassroot initiatives and the buds of a blooming arts district.
“I’ve no need to pine away [to be in cities like] New York, now that there’s so much happening in downtown Tampa,” says Andrea Graham, chairperson for Stageworks Theatre—which, in January, will break ground on its permanent home in the Channel District. “Downtown’s where it’s at!”
And there are literally thousands and millions of reasons for all A&E lovers to get excited.
Tampa’s urban core has nearly 120,000 sq-ft of roof-covered A&E space under construction, representing $75 million in fundraising and investment—a substantial amount of which has been directed to the new “River Arts District.”
This budding district is particularly exciting to Maryann Ferenc, chairperson of Tampa Bay & Company (Hillsborough County’s tourism corporation).
“With great energy already in Tampa, I believe that the new [construction] here will provide that energy a perfect place to coalesce,” says Ferenc.
This district includes the already well-established David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, which was recently renamed after entertaining more than 10 million guests for over 20 years under the moniker: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
About two-tenths of a mile south of the Straz are the soon to be completed Tampa Museum of Art and Glazer Children’s Museum. The structures sit side-by-side on the grounds of the six-acre Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, which has recently received a $15 million facelift and is a featured stop on another new downtown attraction, the Tampa Riverwalk (a 2.2-mile walkway that touches seven parks and five museum campuses).
After a more thorough examination, we see that there will be at least 25 major downtown A&E events/venues to enjoy in 2010. This is a good sign that our urban core is recovering quickly from its past deficiencies; and a clear indicator that downtown is now experiencing symptoms of a serious Art Attack…one that’s just too good for you to bypass.
#1 - TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART
Opening Feb. 6, 2010 • Curtis Hixon Park
TMA’s sad, dated little building is no more and has made way for a new, 66,000 sq-ft, cutting-edge facility. The façade of the $32 million structure will double as a public art piece and be illuminated by tens of thousands of programmed LED lights. Inside the museum, eight 1,700 sq-ft galleries will don innovative translucent fabric ceilings and polished stone floors and surrounding a 60’ high atrium that points up to 16 skylights.
The museum’s inaugural exhibit will focus on Henri Matisse’s printmaking and will display 170 of his works (including paintings and sculptures)—thus making it Tampa Bay’s first-ever, large Matisse show.
#2 - GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
March 6-7, 2010 • Curtis Hixon Park
Celebrating its 40th year, this outdoor event is nationally recognized as one of country’s best art festivals. Approximately 300 artists (carefully selected from 1,000 applicants) will compete for a share of $75,000 in cash awards, while more than a quarter-million art lovers browse and buy the showcased paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, prints, jewelry and more.
#3 - DRAGON BOAT RACES
May 1, 2010 • Garrison Channel
Nearly 70, 20-person teams will paddle their long, narrow, dragon-festooned boats through downtown’s waterways in a frantic race to the finish line. An accompanying, daylong festival will also take place simultaneously at the nearby Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park and Marriott Waterside.
#4 - GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Opening Fall 2010 • Curtis Hixon Park
Next door to TMA, the soon-to-open 53,000 sq-ft Children’s Museum—meticulously designed to provide a safe, stimulating and playful learning environment—will yield 175 “little hands”-on exhibits (in 12 themed areas), as well as five classrooms for workshops and family-friendly programs.
#5 - STAGEWORKS THEATRE
Opening Fall 2010 • 1208 E Kennedy Blvd
While the smallest of downtown’s arts construction projects, this theatre company has raised nearly $1 million to build itself an 8,000 sq-ft, 155-seat permanent home. It will be housed on the bottom floor of the Channel District’s Grand Central @ Kennedy Condominiums—a residential and retail development complex that has donated space for the project.
#6 - TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER
Opened 2009 • 801 Old Water Street
Nestled on the north bank of downtown’s Garrison Channel is found a 60,000 sq-ft, still-new, hub of history. Inside, visitors interact with exhibits and view maps, photos and film, as they travel 12,000 years into the past to meet the prominent people, places and events that shaped Tampa into the city it is today.
For a complete list of all 25 of downtown's major art venues and events, click here.
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