David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) opened its doors in July of 1987, and since that time has welcomed nearly 20 million guests while driving nearly $130 million into the local economy during a typical year.
One of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, the 335,000-square-foot Straz Center provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It boasts one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. Straz is home to the resident companies Opera Tampa and Jobsite Theater. In a typical season, more than 600,000 patrons attend 1,500+ events at Straz Center.
With the 2004 addition of Patel Conservatory, Straz Center added 45,000 square feet for its extensive arts education programs that serve nearly 65,000 students annually.
In early 2025, Straz Center broke ground on an $80 million, 170,000 square feet Master Plan expansion project. With completion expected in late 2027, the project ensures that Straz Center programs remain relevant and accessible for the growing Tampa Bay community.
For more information about the Straz Center, Opera Tampa or Patel Conservatory, visit www.strazcenter.org.
Greg Holland,
President & CEO
An arts executive, theater administrator, revenue builder and dealmaker with more than 25 years of experience, Greg Holland became the president and CEO of the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in October of 2022.
He came to Tampa’s performing arts center after serving as the president of Brown-Holland Entertainment which provided business development services for Nederlander Worldwide. Additionally, Holland was the chief operating officer for Lighthouse Immersive which aims to cultivate community and creativity through large-scale events and exhibitions of all art forms.
Q&A with Greg Holland
What motivated The Straz Center to become an Investor in the Tampa Bay EDC?
The Straz Center was built to be, among other things, a catalyst for the economic development of Central Tampa and Tampa Bay. We want to show community leaders that the Straz Center takes this commitment seriously. We want to be actively involved in growing business and development opportunities.
Since opening its doors in 1987, The Straz Center has welcomed nearly 20 million guests, making a significant contribution to Tampa’s local economy year after year. What impact do you anticipate the Straz’ master plan expansion project will have on Hillsborough County’s future economy?
Arts education is a critical part of the Straz’s mission to inspire, educate and connect the community through the power of shared performing arts experiences. How do you predict arts education will evolve at the Straz following the completion of the new Arts Education Center?
Following completion of the new arts education center, Straz will expand arts education offerings in both scale and depth, allowing the organization to serve more than the 84,986 students reached in FY25, with a significant increase in on-site learning beyond the current 10,399 students. The new three-story, 10,000-square-foot facility will provide additional studios, classrooms, and flexible spaces that support growing demand, enhance instructional quality and expand Straz’s arts and health programming.
