Sammons Center for the Arts

About the Sammons Center

The Sammons Center for the Arts has been a hub for emerging artists and mid-sized arts groups since 1988. Founded in 1981, we opened our doors after years of renovations, transforming an abandoned city building into the historic landmark and arts incubator it is today. For nearly 40 years, we have provided the Dallas-based performing arts community with vital support, offering affordable access to office and rehearsal space, valuable tools and resources, and training for talented local artists and arts organizations. 

Did you know that the Sammons Center resides in a historic building? The Turtle Creek Pump Station, which once served the city's water utility needs in the late 1800s and early 1900s, is now home to a thriving arts incubator where an average of 1,500 artists, organizations, and audience members gather each week. Whether our guests come to the Sammons Center for a meeting, rehearsal, performance, or special event, we all share the unifying belief that the world we want needs art! 

The Center fosters the growth, sustainability, and success of its art partners. In addition to operating as a key support system for over 100 artists and groups annually, the Center also produces 193 performances through its Sammons Jazz, Cabaret, and Discovery series, compensating each musician and ensemble fairly and equitably. Our goal is to provide local artists and arts organizations with the support they need to thrive and succeed. 

Our Programs

The Sammons Center plays a vital role in the local arts ecosystem, serving as the primary provider of affordable facilities and resources for emerging artists and mid-sized arts groups. We serve more than 100 artists and arts organizations annually, providing each with accessible and affordable space, resources, and tools to ensure their success and sustainability. Without our facility and services, many of the organizations we serve would cease to exist.  

Cultural Community Resources

Incubator Program

The Sammons Center has 17 incubator partners that utilize our facility as their organization's home base for work, meetings, rehearsals, and hosting special events. In addition to providing workspace, the Sammons Center also offers the following amenities: phone service, use of a fully equipped catering kitchen, a range of event equipment, and production equipment. 

Our model allows tenants to remain in the program as long as it is operational and they continue to utilize the building and its services. No term limits have helped many of our incubator partners succeed, safeguarding the success and sustainability they have today.

Virtual Office Program

Since opening our doors in 1988, the Sammons Center has remained without an incubator vacancy, which led to the development of our Virtual Office Program. Our Virtual Office partners have access to most of the same amenities and resources as our Incubator partners, except for daily use of office space. Amenities include

Art-Works

Art-Works was established to provide individuals and arts groups with opportunities to grow and develop, utilizing best practices to sustain their growth and success. 

Concert Series

Sammons Jazz

Sammons Cabaret

Sammons Discovery