The global touring exhibition "The Art of Banksy" will run Aug. 1–30 at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, bringing an unconventional presentation to Morsani Hall that will change how patrons enter and exit the venue.
What changes for Tampa visitors
Rather than following the usual theater flow from lobby to seats, attendees will be routed through the Straz Center’s backstage loading bay. The entire installation will sit on the main stage, creating an immersive, theatrical environment that organizers say departs from a traditional museum experience.
Show producers emphasize the theatrical setup will affect arrival, circulation and departure patterns at the Straz. Museum-style lighting, loud music and darkened room design are planned to spotlight individual pieces.
- Dates: Aug. 1–30
- Location: Morsani Hall, David A. Straz Center
- Layout: Exhibition installed on main stage; entry and exit via backstage/loading bay
Producer: a theatrical approach
Michel Boersma, the exhibition’s executive producer and curator, described the Straz presentation as a convergence of his theater background with the touring show’s sensibility. He framed the setup as a fresh way for Tampa audiences to experience both the art and the venue.
"Their experience starts in a completely different way… they enter through backstage and then they also leave through backstage through the loading bay—of course, exit through the gift shop—and then they go out again," Boersma said.
Boersma also called the installation a “rock and roll exhibition,” noting the anti-museum atmosphere and the exhibition’s history of occupying unconventional spaces worldwide, from former factories to department stores.
What to expect on-site
Organizers say the exhibit will include authenticated works, with lighting and sound designed to isolate each piece visually. Patrons should expect:
- Entry and exit routed via backstage facilities rather than the main lobby.
- Strong theatrical lighting and amplified music; portions of the venue will be left in deep darkness to focus attention on displayed works.
- A gift shop positioned along the exit path.
| Feature | What visitors should know |
|---|---|
| Entry point | Backstage/loading bay |
| Venue area used | Main stage (Morsani Hall) |
| Atmosphere | Darkened rooms, loud music, theatrical lighting |
For Tampa residents planning to attend, the Straz Center experience for this show will be unlike standard theater events. Patrons should allow extra time for the alternative entry route and expect a production-driven presentation rather than a conventional gallery stroll.
The exhibition marks the Tampa debut of a high-profile Banksy tour and offers a distinctly staged, sensory presentation that organizers say aligns with the artist’s subversive reputation while reshaping how locals will move through one of the city’s major performing arts venues.
