Ordway Center For The Performing ArtsEdit
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is a flagship cultural venue in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since its opening in 1985, the Ordway has functioned as a hub for live performance, drawing audiences from across the region for Broadway touring productions, opera, dance, concerts, and community programming. The building sits on the Mississippi Riverfront, where it has played a role in downtown revitalization and the broader development of the Twin Cities arts ecosystem. Its origin story blends private philanthropy with public interests, illustrating a model in which charitable giving and civic ambition combine to sustain high-quality cultural experiences for a broad audience. Saint Paul, Minnesota Mississippi River Nonprofit organization Theatre Arts education
Over the decades, the Ordway has grown into a venue that regularly houses major touring shows alongside performances by regional ensembles. It has hosted productions by national and international companies, as well as performances by local groups dedicated to music, dance, and theatre. In addition to ticketed performances, the Ordway runs education and outreach programs designed to engage students and families, helping introduce newcomers to the performing arts and encouraging lifelong participation in cultural life. These activities are supported by a combination of ticket sales, private philanthropy, and public support, reflecting a governance and funding model common to similar cultural institutions across Public funding and Public-private partnership contexts. Minnesota Opera Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Arts education
History and facilities
Founding and early years
The Ordway emerged from a civic effort to expand cultural infrastructure in Saint Paul and to provide a venue capable of presenting large-scale, high-caliber performances. Groundbreaking in the late 20th century gave way to a facility that could accommodate touring Broadway shows as well as locally produced work. The center’s architecture and planning were intended to serve as a visible symbol of downtown renewal, linking culture to economic vitality and urban life along the riverfront. This combination of ambition and philanthropy has remained a throughline throughout the center’s evolution. Urban renewal Economic impact Saint Paul, Minnesota
Growth, renovations, and current role
Over the years, the Ordway expanded and modernized its spaces to better serve audiences and artists. The venue encompasses multiple performance spaces appropriate for everything from large-scale musicals to intimate shows and educational performances. In addition to hosting a steady stream of Broadway-in-Saint-Paul tours, the organization has provided opportunities for regional artists and community programs that align with broad interests in music, theatre, and dance. The center’s programming strategy emphasizes excellence, accessibility, and a mix of traditional classics with contemporary offerings, aiming to appeal to diverse audiences and to sustain a robust cultural economy in downtown Saint Paul. Broadway Dance Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Minnesota Opera
Facilities and programming
Spaces and capabilities
The Ordway operates with at least two main performance venues, one designed for large-scale productions and another for more intimate or experimental work. The facilities are designed to support a wide range of productions—from touring Broadway shows to operatic performances and dance companies—while also providing rehearsal spaces, educational rooms, and community programming areas. The architecture and acoustics are intended to serve both ticket buyers seeking immediate, spectacular entertainment and artists requiring versatile stages and rehearsal environments. Theatre Architecture Acoustics
Programming, partnerships, and audiences
A core element of the Ordway’s mission is presenting high-quality live performances while fostering local arts education and outreach. The center partners with national producers for Broadway tours and collaborates with regional groups such as Minnesota Opera and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra to present concerts, operas, and contemporary works. Its education programs work with schools and community groups to broaden access to the arts, which supporters see as essential for civic vitality and family-friendly cultural engagement. Arts education Nonprofit organization Economic impact
Controversies and debates
Like many large cultural institutions, the Ordway has faced debates about funding, programming choices, and the proper role of the arts in public life. A recurring discussion centers on how much of the center’s support should come from taxpayers versus private philanthropy and ticket sales. Proponents argue that private donations and responsible public partnerships deliver high-caliber programming without over-reliance on government spending, while also stimulating local economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and nearby businesses. Critics sometimes push for broader access or different programming that they believe better reflects the community’s diverse tastes and values. Supporters contend that the center’s model—fusing philanthropy with prudent public involvement—delivers sustained value without politicizing the arts.
From observers who favor a lean, market-driven approach, the arts should focus on broad appeal and economic return, maintaining excellence while avoiding politically charged programming choices that could alienate audiences or raise costs. Critics of what they perceive as identity-driven shifts in programming argue that prioritizing specific social or political narratives can undermine artistic breadth and financial viability. Proponents counter that inclusive and representative programming expands the audience and reflects a healthy civic culture, arguing that the arts are strongest when they confront important questions rather than retreat from them. In this discourse, critiques of what some label as “woke” influence are often presented as overreach that risks narrowing appeal, while supporters claim such programming broadens access and enriches the cultural conversation. The Ordway’s ongoing challenge is to balance ambitious, diverse programming with the financial realities of operating a major venue in a competitive cultural market. Public funding Philanthropy Nonprofit organization
Economic and cultural impact
The Ordway is widely viewed as a catalytic institution for the Saint Paul economy and the surrounding region. By attracting touring productions, it helps fill hotels, restaurants, and other downtown businesses, reinforcing the city’s status as a cultural destination. In addition to direct ticket revenue, the center’s educational programs and outreach initiatives aim to cultivate the next generation of artists, technicians, and audience members, contributing to a broader ecosystem of arts and culture that supports workforce development and civic engagement. The impact of such venues is often discussed in terms of multipliers—economic effects that extend beyond the theater walls to create a more vibrant, diversified urban core. Economic impact Saint Paul, Minnesota Urban renewal
See also