Looking for some fun, family-friendly activities here in Dallas? Look no further than Fair Park! Known throughout Texas as a National Historic Landmark, Fair Park contains a rich history and offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. With 277 acres featuring a series of well-preserved Art Deco structures, visitors can find a wide variety of museums and cultural centers located throughout the park. Take a trip to Fair Park & see how much it has to offer!
The Adventure Continues: Next Stop, South Dallas Cultural Center
Continuing our efforts to learn more about our Fair Park neighbors, the State Fair team took a trip down the road to the South Dallas Cultural Center (“SDCC”). A South Dallas institution since 1986, the SDCC offers a variety of classes for both kids and adults, ranging from Brazilian dance to hip hop poetry. The facility includes a 120-seat black box theater, used for movies, concerts, dance festivals and more. The theater recently featured “Mississippi Goddamn”, a new play based on the life and death of Medgar Evers in 1960s Mississippi. In addition to performing arts, the SDCC also showcases visual arts in the Arthello Beck gallery. The gallery features a different artist every month – on display now is “Middle Passage”, a collection by Emmanuel Gillespie.
Although the entire complex is filled with cultural significance, one of the most unique opportunities at SDCC is the annual “Summer Arts at the Center” program for local kids. The five week program utilizes the arts to teach students about African American history and culture. Through activities like mural painting, music, dance, photography and creative writing, kids get the chance to look at learning in a new way and absorb culture through a variety of creative outlets. Recently given a grant to paint an outdoor mural, a group of local middle school students will add a colorful touch to the outside of the SDCC. Make sure to stop by and see the finished product, and check out all the center has to offer!
The South Dallas Cultural Center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public tours are available by appointment, as well as venue rental opportunities. For more information, visit their website.
A special thank you to Marilyn Clark, Education/Outreach Coordinator, who gave us the grand tour and showed us a truly memorable experience!
Explore Fair Park: South Dallas Cultural Center
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