THE BLACK ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS RECEIVES ADDITIONAL THIRTY YEAR FACILITY CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), a thirty-seven year old not-for-profit Dallas, Texas based cultural arts institution, receives a thirty-year long facility contract commitment from fourteen of its current fifteen member city council, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. In a back-and-fourth debate about the institution’s extended facility contract to allow TBAAL to continue operating in its current home located in the stately downtown Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Theatre Complex, only one councilmember voted not to grant the institution its contract request.
For the past twenty-five years, since 1989, The Black Academy has been in the local and national limelight producing and presenting 100 plus stellar programs attracting over 300,000 patrons annually at the convention center. The likes of the late great world renowned actress Ruby Dee and writer Maya Angelou, both who recently passed away, were devout supporters of the institution and its Founder and President, Curtis King. “When I started working on our contract with TBAAL’s Executive Committee, the City Manager’s office, Dallas Convention Center and the Office of Cultural Affairs staff, I had no idea it would create this kind of back-and-forth lengthy dialogue given the fact that we’ve been an anchor tenant in this space for twenty-five years.” said Curtis King. “This is our home. It is where we have changed thousands of young people lives, entertained and educated millions from around the globe, given jobs to hundreds, developed educational initiatives, created culturally diverse partnerships and international exchange programs.” King continued.
“TBAAL has and continues to be a launching pad for future leaders and a destination place for famous artists and scholars to come to Dallas and become a part of the cultural and artistic landscape for what Dallas is and has become,”
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Theatre Complex . 650 South Griffin Street. Dallas, Texas 75202. PHONE 214.743.2440 FAX 214.743.2451. EMAIL info@tbaal.org . WEBSITE www.tbaal.org councilmember Dwaine Caraway hammered home during the council meeting contract discussion. “Without question, TBAAL is one of Dallas’ premiere arts institutions and we need to continue our long term city suppor so that it can move forward with its mission,” echoed Councilmembers Carolyn Davis, Jerry Allen, Tennell Atkins, Adams Medrano, Sandy Greyson and Jennifer Staubach Gates.
When TBAAL was founded in 1977, it was operating out of Curtis King’s apartment on his dining room table. Five years later, the institution moved into a 40,000 sq. ft. facility in East Dallas on Peak Street for a short period. It remained in that location and then had to move. TBAAL, known then as the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters (JBA), moved nine other times around Dallas, seeking permanent quarters, until it struck a deal with the city to move into the convention center (1989) championed by former mayors A. Stark Taylor and the late Annette Strauss.
“The commitment from the council is another important chapter in the institution’s illustrious history,” said TBAAL Board Chair Barbara Steele. “This thirty year commitment allows us the opportunity to continue providing diverse cultural arts programs and entertainment for thousands of Dallas citizens and tourists from around the country and world.” “Today’s vote from the council will be written in the annals of arts and cultural history as a first. It sends a clear message to the community and the world that Dallas’ elected leaders believes in a culturally diverse melting pot,” said council member Vonciel Jones Hill.
Please visit us at www.tbaal.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TBAAL and on Facebook at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters is housed in the Downtown Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Theatre Complex, 1309 Canton St, Dallas, TX 75201. The institution mailing address is 650 South Griffin Street, Dallas, Texas 75202.
