A RICH HISTORY

OUR MISSION

We provide programs in the performing, literary, and visual arts with an emphasis on the African contribution to world culture.

OUR VISION

We seek to promote a more equitable, cooperative, and empathetic community by engaging the public with art and cultural experiences influenced by the African Diaspora.

WE VALUE:

  • Respectful stewardship of our facility on behalf of the Dallas Community;
  • Commitment to providing excellent cultural experiences; and
  • Ambassadorship for Black Creative Culture

THE SANKOFA BIRD

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TO BE IN TUNE WITH ONE’S HISTORY

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To be in tune with one’s history is to be intimately connected to the roots that have shaped us, illuminating the paths we have traversed and empowering us to forge a brighter future. It is through understanding the struggles, triumphs, and lessons of those who came before us that we find profound inspiration, fueling our passion to create meaningful change in our own lives and communities. By honoring our history, we honor the legacies of those who fought for justice, equality, and progress, ensuring their voices echo through the ages, guiding us towards a more enlightened and compassionate world. Let us stand tall in the knowledge of our past, for it is the foundation upon which we build a legacy worthy of generations yet to come.

OUR STORY

ORIGINS – 1922

The initial location of the center was the historic Parks Memorial Church building originally constructed in 1922 in the South Dallas area and served as a place of worship before being transformed into a cultural hub.

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Bopp Alley near South Dallas in the 1920’s

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Execs from Kubota Tractor and government officials break ground on the new cultural center.

Repurpose – 1986

Through community advocacy, and key individuals in the African-American community, the City of Dallas redeveloped and repurposed the church into a dedicated, multi-disciplinary arts facility; under the guidance of City officials and Park Board members, $1.5 million was allocated from the 1982 bond program to construct a 24,000 square-foot facility situated across from Fair Park.

Enhancements -2007

In 2007, the Center’s facility received a total renovation and expansion adding 10,000 square feet that added a 110-seat black box theatre, a multi-arts studio, a visual arts gallery, a dance studio, a two-dimensional arts studio, and a full-service audio recording studio.

Today

Today, the South Dallas Cultural Center celebrates the creativity, vibrancy, and diversity of the African Diasporian culture by offering a range of programs across many creative disciplines.

The South Dallas Cultural Center is a division of the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, a member of theΒ Dallas Art Dealers AssociationΒ and a partner in theΒ National Performance Network. TheΒ DADA Fall Gallery WalkΒ takes place each fall.

The South Dallas Cultural Center is a program of the City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture. All programs are subject to change without notice. The South Dallas Cultural Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and/or handicapped status in employment and/or the provision of services to the general public.