ABOUT THE CITY

The Arts in Toledo

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo (www.ci.toledo.oh.us) is a city of 313,600 residents.  The array of cultural and recreational opportunities that are available within its 84 square mile area reflect the community’s long-standing commitment to the arts.  Nearly every summer weekend there is a festival celebrating the diverse heritage of the members of our community and year-round the City’s cultural institutions enrich the lives of residents and visitors.

The Toledo Museum of Art, located within the City, is a privately endowed, nonprofit institution noted for the quality of its permanent collection and art education programs, as well as for its display of traveling exhibits.  In 2001, the Museum of Art celebrated its 100th anniversary, completed a major renovation and restoration of its existing facilities and dedicated a new sculpture garden.  In 2006, the Museum celebrated the opening of the 57,600 square foot Glass Pavilion, honoring the City's history as the Glass City. 

The Valentine Theatre, is a 108-year-old, 901-seat facility operated by the Toledo Cultural Arts Center, Inc. The Theatre underwent a $28 million renovation which was unveiled on October 9, 1999.  The Valentine contains a 901-seat auditorium, three rehearsal halls, administrative office, and state-of-the art sound and lighting systems.

Toledo is host to numerous performing arts organizations, including the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Opera, Toledo Jazz Society. Toledo Repertoire Theatre, and numerous others, which provide a variety of concerts, musical, dance and theatrical productions annually in venues throughout our City and Northwest Ohio.

Library services throughout the County are provided by the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.  The Library provides services on a County-wide basis through its Main Library in Downtown Toledo and 18 branch libraries throughout the County.  It has the third largest public library collection in the State with over 2.3 million books and annual circulation of over 6 million.

The Toledo Zoo, located within the City and owned and operated by the Toledo Zoological Society, a private nonprofit organization, is nationally recognized as one of the most comprehensive zoological institutions in the nation.  The most ambitious project in Toledo Zoo history—Africa!—opened to the public on May 1, 2004.