USF College of Design, Art & Performance

- 13001 USF Laurel Drive, FAH 110, Tampa, FL 33620

For residents of Tampa and the greater Florida region, the USF College of Design, Art & Performance is recognized as the vibrant creative core of the University of South Florida (USF), serving not just as an esteemed public university academic department, but also as a major cultural hub for the community. Beyond its primary role as an Art School, Architecture School, Dance School, and Music School, it houses a premier public venue that is highly relevant to local users: a state-of-the-art Concert Hall and Performing Arts Theater complex.

The College of Design, Art & Performance is committed to providing an enriched, professional environment for its students—tomorrow's leaders in the creative fields—but also extends its incredible resources to the Tampa Bay community. It operates as a vital engine for cultural engagement, hosting a vast calendar of public events, including concerts, performances, exhibitions, and lectures. With a commitment to expanding new and existing arts programming throughout the rapidly growing regional communities, this USF location is where creativity comes to life for both students and the public.

Specifically within the USF School of Music building, this location features acoustically superior performance spaces that establish a strong musical presence on campus and significantly strengthen the University's cultural offerings to Florida residents. The main concert hall is an architecturally and acoustically advanced venue, often cited by its proper name, the Peter and Cynthia Zinober Concert Hall, which typically seats approximately 500 audience members. This space, along with the smaller Barness Recital Hall, ensures a continuous stream of high-quality live music and performance accessible to anyone in the Tampa area.

The USF College of Design, Art & Performance is ideally situated on the beautiful and well-known USF campus. Its central address is 13001 USF Laurel Drive, FAH 110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. This location makes it easily reachable for residents across the Tampa Bay area, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, being located near major thoroughfares in the university district.

Crucially for the local user experience, the facility demonstrates a commitment to making its concerts and educational offerings accessible to everyone. The site includes a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot. This ensures that patrons with mobility needs can comfortably attend the multitude of performances, from large ensemble concerts to intimate recitals, without facing unnecessary barriers. Given that the college is an active public university and academic department, its campus location is well-served by USF campus infrastructure and is generally known for its well-maintained facilities.

The core offerings of the USF College of Design, Art & Performance are incredibly diverse, reflecting its status as a comprehensive arts and design institution. For the public user looking for a concert hall experience, these services revolve around high-caliber performances and venue capabilities.

Services Offered:

• Arts Events: The College produces an extensive annual calendar of over 400 events, including concerts, theatre performances, dance productions, art exhibitions, and academic lectures, many of which are free and open to the public.
• Music Concerts: Regular performances are held in the Peter and Cynthia Zinober Concert Hall and the Barness Recital Hall, featuring a wide range of musical genres from the USF School of Music. This includes the USF Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensembles, choral groups, percussion ensembles, and faculty/guest artist recitals.
• Music Theatre: Production and staging of various theatrical works and musical theatre performances by the USF School of Theatre & Dance, providing a mix of dramatic and musical arts.
• Art Museum Access: The presence of an Art Museum on campus (specifically the USF Contemporary Art Museum) provides an added cultural experience, allowing concert attendees to combine their visit with viewing compelling exhibitions.
• Venue Rentals: The concert hall and other performance spaces are available for Venue Rentals, providing an acoustically superior and professional setting for community events, private performances, and corporate functions in the Tampa area.
• Online Classes & Digital Engagement: The university structure allows for Online classes and academic offerings, reflecting a modern approach to learning and accessibility that benefits both students and the broader community interested in the arts.

Beyond its academic prestige, the College offers several unique highlights that make it a compelling destination for arts lovers across the Florida region.

Features and Highlights:

• Acoustically Superior Concert Hall: The Peter and Cynthia Zinober Concert Hall is a state-of-the-art performance space, specifically engineered for optimal sound quality, making it a favorite for classical and contemporary musical performances.
• Vast Public Event Calendar: The sheer volume of over 400 annual events ensures that there is always something new and engaging to experience, from major orchestra concerts to cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions.
• Training the Next Generation of Artists: Patrons get the unique opportunity to witness the talent of tomorrow's creative professionals. Attending a concert supports the educational mission of a top-tier public university and provides access to performances by exceptionally gifted students and distinguished faculty.
• Comprehensive Arts Hub: The College serves as a one-stop-shop for culture, consolidating an Art School, Music School, Dance School, and Performing Arts Theater, enriching every visit.
• Architectural Significance: The facility, particularly the School of Music building, features dramatic and simple architectural elements, such as the 'lyrical wall,' designed to express rhythm and pattern, enhancing the overall artistic experience.
• Accessibility and Community Focus: With dedicated accessible entrances and parking, and a clear mission to serve as an integral engine for socioeconomic progress through advocacy and community engagement, the College actively embeds the arts into the Tampa Bay region.

Contact Information:

Address: 13001 USF Laurel Drive, FAH 110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA

Phone: (813) 974-2301

Mobile Phone: +1 813-974-2301

What is worth choosing

The USF College of Design, Art & Performance is worth choosing for any Florida resident seeking a top-quality, culturally enriching experience for several critical reasons. First, the Peter and Cynthia Zinober Concert Hall provides an unparalleled acoustic experience for musical performances, often matching the quality of dedicated professional venues in larger metropolitan areas. This is where the region's best student, faculty, and guest artists perform, offering world-class talent often at an affordable or even free price point for the public.

Second, by choosing this venue, you are choosing a comprehensive cultural outing. An evening could include a stroll through a contemporary art exhibit before or after a concert, seamlessly blending music, visual art, and architecture. This synergy of disciplines creates a richer, more stimulating experience than a single-purpose concert hall. The constant rotation of over 400 events annually means the offerings are always fresh and relevant. The fact that this resource is anchored within the University of South Florida—a respected public institution—guarantees a standard of excellence, professionalism, and a direct contribution to the intellectual and cultural capital of the Tampa Bay area. Choosing the USF College of Design, Art & Performance is an investment in your own cultural enrichment and the artistic future of Central Florida.

USF College of Design, Art & Performance

13001 USF Laurel Drive, FAH 110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA