Waco, Texas is a dynamic city with several performing arts organizations including the Waco Civic Theatre, Waco Symphony Orchestra, dance studios and the programming emanating from Baylor University. There are many independent artists and a host of other organizations working in non-traditional arts spaces and clubs. Creative Waco is a unifying force within the community and offers a strong advocacy effort for all arts organizations and artists. Creative Waco, in conjunction with the City of Waco, commissioned a feasibility study to determine the viability of a new performing arts center within the Texas market and how it would operate. 

The operating model recommended for the future facility was one built around serving the community of Waco’s needs, including an internal incubation of local arts as well as a global cultural exposure. Recommended programming for the facility included a robust presenting series of bringing in touring product like Broadway, an arts education program, a work-study partnership with nearby Baylor University, community partner events, and private rentals. 

Proposed governance models included a non-profit owned and operated model and a non-profit owned / venue management company operated. In either scenario, operating pro forma projections estimated a revenue to expenses gap close to $1M. Financing and taxing strategies were researched across benchmarked facilities to provide funding solutions for this gap. Overall, the project held viability within the marketplace as well as local demand. Project study was conducted by Victor Gotesman and associates while at VGPAP and in conjunction with Keen Independent Research and Theatre Consultants Collaborative.