Welcome to the Willis A. and Janet S. Strauss Performing Arts Center (SPAC). This building is next to the focal point of the campus, a campanile housing a carillon of 47 bells. The Strauss Performing Arts Center serves as the center of musical activity for the School of Music within the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, as well as a prime performance location in the city of Omaha.
About the Strauss Performing Arts Center
The building's main performance space is a Concert Hall that seats 422 with impressive acoustic isolation. The highlight of the Concert Hall is the Casavant Organ.
This space is used for classes, rehearsals, and over 200 performances each year. In addition, there are two large rehearsal spaces with tiered seating, as well as various classrooms which are well-equipped for any class needs.
Location
The Strauss Performing Arts Center is located on University Drive North between the Criss Library and the Milo Bail Student Center, parallel to Dodge Street.
View the campus map.
Events & Concerts
The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) School of Music has an active performance and event schedule.
For a list of UNO School of Music events and concerts, visit our events page.
Rental Information
The Concert Hall, Recital Hall, and classrooms in the Strauss Performing Arts Center are available for rent to faculty, staff, students, and community members (nonprofit only).
Reservations for outside events are available on a first-come/first-served basis, and UNO School of Music events have priority over outside events. Please note the required process below:
- Applicant must complete an Application at least 30 days before the event
- If the application is approved, applicant must sign a Facilities Agreement (contract)
- Applicant must supply proof of liability insurance* no later than 2 weeks before the event
- Rental fees are due prior to the event
Please contact our Operations Manager at jmcbee@unomaha.edu for more information, including current rental rates.
*UNO requires renters to provide a certificate of insurance with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 general aggregate, naming the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska as an “additional insured" – this requirement does not apply to other UNO departments renting space at Strauss.
Catering
Any food served in the Strauss Performing Arts Center must be ordered through UNO Catering and must be served and consumed in the lobby only. All events held in the Strauss Performing Arts Center must comply with the UNO Food Policy.
For more information or to schedule catering for your event, please visit the UNO Catering website, or call 402.554.6703.
University of Nebraska at Omaha Food Policy
All food served on campus must be furnished by University Dining Services due to health safety concerns. This policy relates to the entire campus.
Bringing in food and beverages, from any outside source, for meetings (including potlucks) is prohibited. It is not the intent of such a policy to prohibit anyone from “brown bagging” for personal consumption. This policy prohibits the sale or giveaway of food items on campus.