Small Business Spotlight - February 2024: Aetos Center for the Performing Arts

Company name: Aetos Center for the Performing Arts
Person in charge:  Zac Rantz
Year founded: 2023

Tell us about the history of your business:

Aetos Center for the Performing Arts opened in February of 2023.  It was part of the 2019 ballot Nixa approved to increase teacher pay and construct Aetos. The initial idea was to build a larger performance hall for our band, choir, and theatre programs, but the district asked, “what if” and wondered if we could make this into a national venue to provide a place for national acts to perform.  From there, we designed and built the venue for not only students but also national acts.

Describe the services your organization provides and what makes you unique:

Aetos is attached to a Nixa High School, so our facility also provides students with an opportunity to learn and perform in a state-of-the-art facility. Students also get to learn from the professionals of the national acts coming through the facility.

Since we are also part of a school, we will have about 10-15 national shows each year.

Tell us something people might not know about your organization:

We have had people buy tickets to Aetos from 17 states and Canada all in the first year of opening. We are also able to say that we injected an estimated $225,000 back into the local economy from the shows in 2023.

What is the biggest challenge facing your organization now, and how are you working to overcome that challenge?

People either don’t know about Aetos or think it is a student performance venue. We are working to educate the community that they can come to Aetos to see great student performances, and to see great national acts. The more people come to Aetos, the better shows and artists we can bring in.

What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?

Stay focused on the vision. People won’t always see the destination you are headed to, but they will want to join the party once you get there.