TPAC director unveils 'TPAC Live' season and says finances are stabilizing
June 17, 2025 | Topeka City, Shawnee County, Kansas
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Topeka Performing Arts Center Executive Director Daniel Kaye told the city council on June 17 that TPAC’s finances are stabilizing and announced a new season program, "TPAC Live," to bring in local audiences and downtown activity.
Kaye said the venue had budgeted to use reserves but is now projecting a smaller-than-expected draw on reserves: "We approved to use reserves, and we approved to use $66,000. ... We're actually only $23,000 forecasted at the end of the year," he told the council.
Kaye outlined a plan to produce seven TPAC-curated shows for the 2025–26 season — three family shows and four evening "date-night" shows — with average ticket targets of about $25 for family shows and an average around $35 for evening shows. He called the initiative "TPAC Live," modeled on curated concert series such as Austin City Limits, and said the series is intended to help stimulate downtown activity.
On fundraising, Kaye said he has secured $149,000 in sponsorship commitments for the first season, of which approximately $132,000 is cash and the balance in media and services trade. "That is huge," he said, and added that $65,000 of the cash will be received in the current fiscal year to help fund early shows. He also said volunteers are increasing from about 10 active volunteers when he arrived to 44 trained volunteers and that volunteer hours provide significant in-kind value.
Council members voiced support. Councilman Duncan praised Kaye’s fundraising and called the TPAC Live initiative a means to reduce dependence on outside promoters and build an owned season. Councilwoman Miller highlighted efforts to reintegrate TPAC into downtown activities and the recent permitting to include TPAC inside the downtown common-consumption area.
Kaye said a season announcement and an inaugural show with local artist Eddie Wakes are scheduled for July 12 and that subscriptions and single tickets will go on sale following that event. He invited the public and council to support the series as it expands.
Kaye said the venue had budgeted to use reserves but is now projecting a smaller-than-expected draw on reserves: "We approved to use reserves, and we approved to use $66,000. ... We're actually only $23,000 forecasted at the end of the year," he told the council.
Kaye outlined a plan to produce seven TPAC-curated shows for the 2025–26 season — three family shows and four evening "date-night" shows — with average ticket targets of about $25 for family shows and an average around $35 for evening shows. He called the initiative "TPAC Live," modeled on curated concert series such as Austin City Limits, and said the series is intended to help stimulate downtown activity.
On fundraising, Kaye said he has secured $149,000 in sponsorship commitments for the first season, of which approximately $132,000 is cash and the balance in media and services trade. "That is huge," he said, and added that $65,000 of the cash will be received in the current fiscal year to help fund early shows. He also said volunteers are increasing from about 10 active volunteers when he arrived to 44 trained volunteers and that volunteer hours provide significant in-kind value.
Council members voiced support. Councilman Duncan praised Kaye’s fundraising and called the TPAC Live initiative a means to reduce dependence on outside promoters and build an owned season. Councilwoman Miller highlighted efforts to reintegrate TPAC into downtown activities and the recent permitting to include TPAC inside the downtown common-consumption area.
Kaye said a season announcement and an inaugural show with local artist Eddie Wakes are scheduled for July 12 and that subscriptions and single tickets will go on sale following that event. He invited the public and council to support the series as it expands.
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