As the recipient of a 2023 – 24 $200 million State grant, Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) has enlisted the partnership of a global architectural team to design their new performance home. TPAC has selected internationally acclaimed BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and award-winning architecture firm William Rawn Associates out of Boston, MA. Award-winning Nashville-based EOA Architects is also a part of the dream team. The new developments are the result of a TPAC real estate review that determined the venue antiquated.
TPAC presented its first live performances in September, 1980 within the State-owned James K. Polk Cultural Center. As an arts and culture leader in Nashville, TPAC attracts approximately 435,000 audience members each year. A new and larger home will expand programming for Tennesseans. Audiences will see even more world-renowned artists, touring Broadway productions, ballet, opera and more. TPAC stands to receive an additional $300 million in next year’s budget with a requirement of private philanthropic contributions to support the relocation of TPAC.
Praise for Change
“We are deeply grateful to the Governor and General Assembly for granting TPAC the essential financial support to construct a new world-class performing arts center,” says Jennifer Turner, TPAC President & CEO. “I commend the TPAC Board of Directors for their courageous leadership in pursuit of this project,” she adds.
TPAC is currently engaged in choosing a site for the organization’s relocation while also identifying philanthropic contributors to unlock the additional State grant.
“Today is an extraordinary moment for us to dream, think bigger than ourselves and embrace this artistic opportunity to develop a new performance home, ” says Turner. “Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a treasured cultural gem in Tennessee and this vision for the future of Nashville uniquely aligns with the ambitious growth that the community continues to witness.”
Learn more about TPAC’s plans for a new performance venue at tpac.org.