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About Us

About Us

Black and White Image of Bass Concert Hall from the 1980's

Our Mission

To create, present, and connect people with performance.

Our History

Our rich history began on March 6, 1981, as The Performing Arts Center at The University of Texas at Austin, with a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the newly constructed Bass Concert Hall. The $44 million building was the university's largest construction project to date. Later joined by four other venues—including Bates Recital Hall, and the McCullough, Payne, and Brockett Theatres—Texas Performing Arts has become one of the most important contributors of cultural life in Central Texas.

Each year, Texas Performing Arts offers a diverse season of music, theater, dance, and conversation, and during the past 35 years has presented such world-class artists as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Victor Borge, Nina Simone, Ornette Coleman, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Van Morrison, Philip Glass, Ella Fitzgerald, and The English National Opera. We are also the proud home of Broadway In Austin, and have presented the Austin premieres of Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera. Until 2007, Bass Concert Hall was also home to Ballet Austin, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and Austin Lyric Opera.

Over the years, Texas Performing Arts continued to grow and prosper through the remarkable support of our donors and sponsors. In addition to helping us renovate Bass Concert Hall in 2007, support from donors and sponsors underwrites our Campus and Community Engagement offerings and our Student Ticket Fund, which makes it possible for students of all ages to purchase $10 tickets to all of our performances.

As Texas Performing Arts prepares for the next 40 years, we aspire to expand our world-class programming and endeavor to strengthen the bond between the performing arts and our community, where everyone is invited to enjoy, participate, and learn.

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