About the Palladium at St. Petersburg College

The Palladium at St. Petersburg College is a historic performing arts venue in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Since opening as the Palladium Theater in 1998, it has brought artists and audiences together through music, dance, theatre, opera, and community programming.

The Palladium at SPC is currently undergoing a major renovation and anticipates reopening in fall 2027. During this transformation, Palladium programs and its commitment to Tampa Bay artists and audiences continue beyond the walls of the building.

Located just blocks from St. Petersburg’s waterfront, the Palladium is part of downtown’s vibrant arts and cultural district.

The Palladium includes two entertainment spaces; Hough Hall and Side Door Cabaret.

Hough Hall, the Palladium’s mainstage concert hall, has welcomed classical music, jazz, blues, opera, theatre, dance, and community performances for more than 25 years. As part of the Palladium’s current renovation, Hough Hall is receiving new seating, improved sightlines, enhanced acoustics, updated production technology, and accessibility improvements – all while preserving the historic character of the space.

The Palladium’s Side Door Cabaret is Tampa Bay’s critically acclaimed listening room, known for bringing audiences close to established and emerging artists in jazz, blues, comedy, acoustic music and more. Its small tables and nightclub-style setting creat a distinctive performance experience centered on the connection between artist and audience.

The Palladium is a department of St. Petersburg College. We are committed to equal access/equal opportunity in our programs, activities, and employment. For additional information visit www.spcollege.edu/eaeo.

Mission

The Palladium fosters artistically and culturally diverse performing arts, educational and community programs that bring artists and audiences together in a first-class professional, affordable setting.

The Palladium reaches audiences throughout Tampa Bay and beyond by…

• Presenting and producing a schedule of innovative arts performances and events,
• Providing a full-service, affordable rental facility for artists, producers and community organizations,
• Nurturing relationships through partnerships with established and emerging local artists and cultural organizations that use the Palladium as a venue for artistic growth,
• Showcasing selected programs of St. Petersburg College and affording students myriad opportunities to work intimately with renowned touring professionals as well as with local artists.

History

The Palladium’s story begins in 1925, when the building was constructed as the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Designed by architect Howard Lovewell Cheney, the building includes significant Arts and Crafts details, including tilework by Ernest A. Batchelder.

In the late 1990s, a group of arts philanthropists recognized the need for a professional, affordable venue that could serve local artists and community organizations. They transformed the church into a performing arts center, preserving much of its historic character, including the original seating. The Palladium Theater officially opened in 1998 with a mission to welcome audiences across Tampa Bay and serve the entire community.

In 2007, the Palladium became part of St. Petersburg College. In accepting the property, the College recommitted to the Palladium’s community-focused mission while creating new opportunities to connect SPC students and programs with professional artists and live performance. As a department of St. Petersburg College, the Palladium has continued to grow as a vital part of Tampa Bay’s cultural life.

Now, as the Palladium undergoes a major historic renovation, the building is being prepared for the next century. The transformation will preserve its distinctive architectural character and historical designation while creating more a comfortable, accessible, and acoustically enhanced experience for future generations of artists and audiences.