AT&T Performing Arts Center facts for kids

The completed center viewed from the South. Construction on additional facilities is nearing completion.

The AT&T Performing Arts Center is a super cool place in Dallas, Texas. It's a big area with many different buildings where you can watch amazing shows. Think of it as a special home for opera, musical theater, plays, ballet, and all sorts of dance. This center opened its doors on October 12, 2009.

It cost about $354 million to build this awesome center. Different parts of the center were designed by famous architects from places like London, Rotterdam, and New York City.

What Can You See at the Center?

The AT&T Performing Arts Center has four main places for performances and a beautiful park.

Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House

The Winspear Opera House seen at night.

• This grand opera house is named after Margot and Bill Winspear. They gave a huge gift of $42 million to help build the center.
• It has seats for about 2,200 people, but can fit up to 2,300.
• It's the main stage for the Dallas Opera and the Texas Ballet Theater.

Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre

• This unique theater is named after Dee and Charles Wyly, who donated $20 million.
• It's a tall, twelve-story building with lots of space, about 80,300 square feet.
• The theater can hold around 600 people. The stage can be set up in many different ways for various shows.
• It's home to the Dallas Theater Center, the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

Annette Strauss Square

• This is an outdoor area where you can watch shows under the sky.
• It has a big lawn where about 2,500 people can sit and enjoy concerts or performances.

Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park

• This lovely park is named after Sammons Enterprises, Inc., who gave $15 million.
• It's a large 10-acre park that connects all the different venues.
• It was designed by Michel Desvign from Paris. It was the biggest public park in downtown Dallas for a while.

Who Performs Here?

The AT&T Performing Arts Center is home to five main performing groups:

• The Dallas Opera
• The Dallas Theater Center
• The Texas Ballet Theater
• The Dallas Black Dance Theatre
• The Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico

Besides these groups, the center also puts on its own shows. They work with other local and national groups to bring all kinds of cultural performances. You can see music, dance, Broadway shows, concerts, and even interesting talks.

In its first year, from 2009 to 2010, the center hosted over 500 performances! This included brand new shows and famous performers like Billy Crystal and Hilary Swank.

How the Center Was Built

Raising Money

Building such a big center needed a lot of money. The plan to raise money started in 2000. The goal was to get $275 million. Most of the money, over 93%, came from private donations, not from the government.

By January 2008, they had reached their goal of $275 million! The two biggest donations were $42 million from Margot and Bill Winspear, and $20 million from Dee and Charles Wyly. Another big gift was $15 million from Sammons Enterprises, Inc.

Construction and Opening

Construction on the center began in November 2005. It took about four years to build. The official opening day was October 12, 2009. There was a special week of performances, concerts, and talks about the buildings.

On October 18, 2009, there was a big community open house. Everyone was invited to enjoy free outdoor concerts, art, family activities, and fireworks.

Why It's Called AT&T Performing Arts Center

On September 15, 2009, the company AT&T made a deal to have the center named after them. Because of this, the center is one of the most high-tech performing arts places around. It has AT&T Wi-Fi service, so visitors can get free internet access. AT&T also offers special phone apps for its wireless customers.