The mission of Cedar Rapids Opera is to advance opera as a vital, living American art form and to develop the artists who create it, as well as the audience that appreciates and supports it.

One of only two professional opera companies in Iowa, CRO is committed to achieving artistic and technical excellence, engaging high-level vocalists on a local and international scale, and fairly compensating every single contracted artist, both on and off the stage.

In addition to world class mainstage productions, CRO is dedicated to arts education and engaging the next generation of opera artists and patrons. CRO’s Smith Young Artist Program was established in 2002 to provide professional singing opportunities to vocal performance students and young professionals. In 2022, the company established the Lift Every Voice: Artist in Residency Program which places teaching artists in high schools to work with underserved students. The Children’s Opera Tour—featuring Young Artists from the program—brings free and innovative opera performances to more than 4,000 elementary school students annually.