Art is a wonderful platform for viewing beauty and appreciating culture, but it goes much deeper than that. “The arts really bring people together,” says Jaime Rae Turnbull, the executive director of the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts in Grosse Pointe Park. “It fosters community and a sense of belonging.”
Art, she explains, also allows people to disconnect from the outside world and all of its troubles and truly immerse themselves in a production, a dance performance, or an exhibit. “It’s a bit of an escape and something that brings joy to so many.”
When it comes to ensuring that art is accessible for everyone, philanthropy plays a major part. “Without philanthropy, there would be no art,” says Jaime Rae. “Our community time and time again steps up to make sure that when times are tough and budgets are tight, they are willing to step in to protect it.”
A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap have a long-standing record of giving to many organizations that have had a tremendous impact on the area. Through the creation of the Schaap Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Wayne State received a $10 million grant in 2008 to construct a modern addition to its chemistry building. Other significant contributions have been made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Detroit Public Television, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, University Liggett School, and the Grosse Pointe Theatre. Scholarship programs have also been established, and a $5 million donation to the Grand Bargain for the Foundation for Detroit’s Future was made to support the Detroit Institute of Arts spinoff.
One of their most significant contributions, totaling $30 million, has led to the creation of the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts, which will transform the art landscape in the Grosse Pointes and throughout the city of Detroit.
“This idea was born all the way back in 2012 with Carol and Paul Schaap,” she says. “They were approached by the city of Grosse Pointe Park to assemble land that the city owned to create an art center, and so they worked with the city to do that.”
At the end of November, the Schaap Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors to great applause. The grand opening included a collective performance produced by the Grosse Pointe Theater. It included all of the program partners, including the Grosse Pointe Theatre, Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra, Eisenhower Dance Company, and others. They all came together for a unique performance that unveiled the building and the capacity of the performances to come.
With its 435 seats, the Center provides a unique, intimate atmosphere, which was very badly needed. “The Grosse Pointe Theater and the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra were making the best of hosting performances in local schools and churches since they didn't have a proper home,” says Jaime Rae. “These and other long-standing organizations, such as the Detroit Concert Choir and the Grosse Pointe Community Chorus, have decades of experience in performance art in Detroit and have an incredible following. This center is providing them with a venue that can house them.”
Along with providing a prominent place for fellowship and gathering to appreciate performing and visual arts for the community and the region, it will also offer educational opportunities for students.
An additional key feature of the Center is the availability of tickets at an affordable price, and sometimes even at no cost. “We feel that the arts have the ability to bring people together, and we want to include people from everywhere to experience what a performance or an exhibit will bring to them,” she says. “And so, it has always been a goal to keep it at an affordable price so that it's accessible for all.”
Another remarkable component of the Center is the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Gallery. “Here, we will exhibit private collections starting with the early American art collection of Richard and Jane. We will also have rotating exhibits in our community gallery, the first being two sculptures on loan from the Detroit Institute of Arts and a curated exhibit of small sculptures of Marshall Fredericks, including the original prints of the sketches of those sculptures. We have a really incredible lineup for our exhibits, and those will be accessible to the public free of charge two Saturdays a month and on Mondays for seniors and school field trips.”
Anyone who purchases a $45 or $50 ticket for a performance will also have access to these galleries. “It’s a locally-based, community-based venue; however, there may be a time when private collections come from other areas,” says Jaime Rae. The community gallery will feature only local organizations and artists.
The Schaap Center is located on East Jefferson, which is the epicenter of many cultural organizations. “This is essentially part of the cultural corridor. We have Pewabic Pottery, a remarkable institution that's been around for over a hundred years; the Shepherd, which is new and exciting; Belle Isle; the War Memorial; and the Ford House. We feel it will provide more opportunities for businesses, homes, and residents to benefit from this multi-million dollar investment in the cultural corridor. We see that it is going to help to stabilize areas that are looking for anchor institutions to drive economic impact.”
Of course, this initial investment by the Schaaps provided the necessary resources to build this incredible space, but moving forward, continued donations and support will be needed to sustain it.
“We are hoping to work with the community to finish our capital campaign, which is for major donors, and we are very close to our goal,” says Jaime Rae. “We also have an endowment that we are actively fundraising for because it will take a great deal of funds to keep the Center operational year-round, so it's important for us to really cultivate the donors and patrons of the arts to continue to support it.”
A Gala Party will take place on December 3, featuring great food and drinks, and will be a night to mingle with fellow arts enthusiasts and other community supporters. Later in the evening, the Grosse Pointe Theatre, Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra, Eisenhower Dance Company, and others will take the stage for a special theatrical and musical production created just for this event.
The Center is also looking to grow its volunteer program, the Schaap Ambassador Corps, which originated with the Grosse Pointe Theater. “This will give opportunities for people to volunteer to be ushers and docents and enjoy a show at the same time. It’s a chance to be a part of something very special.”
Jaime Rae says a lot has been written about the building’s structure, architecture, size, and all the bells and whistles, and while those things are wonderful, what’s most amazing is what’s going to be happening there. “It's the people, the patrons, the performers, and the jobs that are being created that are going to be the heartbeat of the Center. That's what's important for the community.”
To find out more, buy tickets, and support this new community treasure, go to SchaapCenter.org.
The A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts at a glance:
Opened November 30, 2025
49,000 square foot building
435 seats
State-of-the-art lighting and acoustics
Pre-function space with wine bar and concessions
Year-round community programming
Eco-friendly with sustainable storm water solutions and enhanced energy efficiency
Affordable tickets for accessibility for all
Volunteer opportunities
Includes the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Gallery:
A fine art exhibition space
Private permanent art collection
Rotating exhibits
Temperature-controlled atmosphere
Community and visiting artist gallery