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Our History

In the first phase of its development (1977-2000), M&PA was established as a community outreach program of Trinity Cathedral. The noontime Brownbag Concerts began in 1978 and were enhanced with the founding of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra in 1986. By the late 80's, when it became clear that M&PA needed to be in charge of its own future, Trinity Cathedral made a bold move, allowing M&PA to incorporate as a separate 501(c)(3) organization in 1991. At this time, a full time general manager was hired, an endowment challenge met, and Brownbag programming was diversified through partnerships with Tri-C JazzFest and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. M&PA took concerts into various Cleveland neighborhoods, (Get Close to the Music) and co-sponsored a photography and oral history project with the Neighborhood Centers Association (Porches). M&PA also began to diversify its board through the Ohio Arts Council Minority Arts program. By the end of this period, Brownbag audiences had grown significantly and began to resemble the actual demographics of the city of Cleveland.

By the year 2000, M&PA was ready to move into the future with a new philosophy of how the arts can build community at a grassroots level. M&PA's evolution as a Community Arts Organization is evidenced by its partnerships with the Black Poetic Society and the Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble, the development with the Ohio Arts Council of M&PA's first long-term community artist residency, the Urban Artist in Residence Initiative, and projects in our immediate neighborhood, The Quadrangle, in cooperation with Trinity's Neighborhood committee. Music & Performing Arts at Trinity Cathedral, Inc. (M&PA) continues to expand upon its mission as an organization "dedicated to building community and enhancing the quality of life in metropolitan Cleveland through the Arts."