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 engaging, 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;

Ambassadorship for Black Creative Culture

The Sankofa Bird

To Be In Tune With One’s History

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.

A Rich History – Our Story

Opening – 1986

Through community advocacy, and key individuals in the African-American community, the City of Dallas repurposed a previous development 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.