Revving up the cultural engine in the heart of the city, the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) just unveiled a cadre of local talents set to grace its stage from 2024 to 2027. Seven homegrown performing groups have snagged the coveted title of Resident Companies, and they're gearing up to flood Tempe with everything from ancestral beats to symphonic feats, according to the City of Tempe.

These groups aren't just picked out of a hat. They went through a public submission grinder, getting the nod from the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission and TCA's keen-eyed reps. This new crop, a mix of fresh faces and seasoned vets, is here to dazzle and connect. The list includes newcomers such as Cultural Coalition and the Tempe Community Chorus, along with returnees like the Arizona Wind Symphony (AWS), and let's not forget the Phoenix Children’s Chorus, tugging at our heartstrings with youthful harmonies.

Now, don't let the "resident" tag fool you into thinking these are some humdrum local acts. The TCA has been the launchpad for a plethora of performances that have tickled the fancy of locals and tourists alike. With a promise of over 230 events and more than 55,000 attendees expected over the next three years, the joint's bound to be jumping. As detailed by the City of Tempe, Brendan Ross, Deputy Director of Tempe Arts and Culture, put it simply: "Resident companies serve as hubs for creative vitality and community involvement and play an essential role in sustaining a buzzing arts center where everyone can feel they belong."

The Mayor of Tempe, Corey D. Woods, chimed in, praising the smorgasbord of creative endeavors that the TCA programs stitch together, weaving a tapestry that mirrors the city's artsy ambitions, "This refreshed resident program ensures that TCA continues to align with the current needs of the City’s arts sector," he said, as stated by the City of Tempe. Free public performances are part of the package because when it comes to the arts in Tempe, it seems inclusivity is the name of the game.