Exterior image of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas

Designing the Next Cultural and Historical Mecca in Dallas

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas
City of Dallas
Dallas, TX

KAI has been selected to lead architectural and engineering design services to expand and renovate the home of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), in Dallas, TX. This effort fulfills Component 4 of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) Master Plan to transform Dallas into a premier global convention destination.

Aerial image of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters’ current building to be redeveloped and redesigned by KAI and our project team.

Located in the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex, TBAAL is a nationally recognized, multi-discipline arts institution with nearly five decades of cultural contributions. It delivers over 100 arts programs annually and supports more than 50,000 youth in its educational initiatives. KAI assembled a team with international design expertise and thought leadership, surpassing the City’s inclusion goals, which are 34% M/WBE participation, at 74.74% and delivering on the City of Dallas’ goal of forming a team representative of the local demographic makeup. Dallas-based Dikita Enterprises serves as the Project Manager and Owner’s Representative for the KBHCCD Component 4.

The project team is currently in the schematic design phase of the project, working to bring TBAAL’s vision to life. TBAAL will temporarily relocate to The Women’s Museum in Fair Park as part of the phased reconstruction and convention center redevelopment plan.

Meet the TBAAL Team:

Goals for the facility’s transformative design include:

  • Modernization while preserving its cultural integrity
  • Expanding spaces for cultural exhibitions and educational programs
  • Making cultural experiences more accessible to the community

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center District’s renovation and expansion marks a significant step forward in the city’s urban development, showcasing a commitment to innovation, diversity, and community engagement, says City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert.

Services

Design, Engineering

“The City Council continues to provide an unwavering commitment to realize the Convention Center district’s vision as a destination powering the Dallas economy. We are thrilled that both of these firms are Dallas-based and will connect communities through their designs for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the best of what Dallas offers.”

Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
City Manager, City of Dallas