8 Ways to Discover the Rich Artistic Diversity of Dallas

As Dallas continues to evolve, so does its rich tapestry of cultures, particularly within its Latinx, Black, and Asian communities. This city is home to Texas's largest LGBTQ+ population. The artistic landscape of Dallas showcases these diverse cultures through their unique histories and narratives expressed via music, dance, theater, and visual arts. Here’s how you can engage with and celebrate this cultural richness through the arts.

Join in with the Turtle Creek Chorale, Dallas’ vibrant LGBTQ+ choir

With 38 albums, two documentaries, performances at some of the most prestigious venues in the U.S., and tours across Europe (including a performance for Queen Elizabeth II), the Turtle Creek Chorale holds the title of the most recorded male chorus in the world. Founded by 30 men at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in 1980, the group now presents a variety of shows, from theatrical productions to festive concerts. Join in the singing or relax and enjoy the performance.

Experience an LGBTQ+ theatrical performance in Dallas

Settle into the historic Kalita Humphreys Theater, one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final masterpieces, and prepare for an evening of entertainment. Whether presenting a Broadway favorite like The Prom or the off-Broadway sensation The Boys in the Band, Uptown Players showcases plays that reflect the challenges and victories of LGBTQ+ communities. Though the narratives center on LGBTQ+ lives, the underlying themes—relationships, family, love, and prejudice—are relatable to everyone.

Explore artwork from Dallas’ vibrant communities

Check out the exhibitions at Daisha Board Gallery, Dallas’ latest contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing the work of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists. Founded by Daisha Board two years ago to enhance art accessibility, the gallery has been recognized as the best in Dallas by D magazine, featuring themes ranging from hip hop to spirituality, including photography, mixed media, performance art, and beyond.

Experience a performance by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Blending jazz, gospel, and Motown, the acclaimed Dallas Black Dance Theatre captures the essence and narratives of the Black experience through contemporary dance. Based in the Arts District—recognized as the top art district in the nation by USA Today readers—these talented dancers have graced stages from the Olympics to Broadway and beyond. While you’re in Dallas, enjoy a live show at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s studio or the Wyly Theater, and you can also stream it later on demand.

Explore art and history at the African American Museum of Dallas

Discover one of the largest collections of African American folk art in the nation, and delve into the intriguing array of found objects from Freedman’s Town, a historic Black neighborhood now transformed into the lively Uptown area filled with bars, restaurants, and shops. The African American Museum of Dallas also features hundreds of African artifacts, contemporary artworks, and sculptures that narrate the rich stories of Black culture and heritage. Situated in historic Fair Park and established for the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936, the museum is near the former Hall of Negro Life, which celebrated the artistic and cultural achievements of Black Americans.

Visit the Crow Museum of Asian Art at The University of Texas at Dallas

Dallas philanthropists Trammel and Margaret Crow opened the Crow Museum of Asian Art at The University of Texas at Dallas to share their passion for Asian culture, featuring a collection of over 600 contemporary Asian art pieces and artifacts. You can also explore a 5,000-year-old sake bottle alongside numerous ancient everyday items such as metalware, textiles, and ceramics. The museum's Montgomery Collection exhibit, primarily focused on Japanese folk art, emphasizes the harmony of functionality and beauty, showcasing how the objects we use daily can also be visually appealing.

Explore the treasures within Dallas’ Latino Cultural Center

With its striking angles, vibrant orange exterior, and distinctive purple column, the Latino Cultural Center, designed by the renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, is a visual treat not to be overlooked—just like what awaits inside. This multidisciplinary arts venue is dedicated to preserving and promoting Latino and Hispanic arts and culture, featuring everything from Lucha Libre exhibitions to theatrical performances and works by local and regional artists.

Experience a Latinx theatrical performance in Dallas

Discover the Latinx community through productions like Cloud Tectonics by Academy Award-winning playwright José Rivera at Teatro Dallas, the oldest Latin-American theater in the city, showcasing both classical and contemporary works from local and international playwrights. Alternatively, visit Cara Mia Theatre, Texas' largest Latinx theater, for a variety of performances viewed through a Latinx perspective, including bilingual musicals, comedies, and national touring shows like Virginia Grise’s Your Healing is Killing Me.