The Frisco Independent School District (FISD) community received an exclusive preview of the upcoming Visual and Performing Arts Center during the December Board meeting. The unveiling of project renderings and the chosen location marked a significant milestone in a process initiated with the passing of the 2018 bond.
Since then, District leaders meticulously considered community partnerships and various options, ultimately deciding in August 2022 to independently proceed with a dedicated District facility. The primary vision guiding the center's development is to establish a collaborative space that enhances future-ready learning and student opportunities.
The key features of the Visual and Performing Arts Center, as presented by Bobby Lajoie of Corgan Architects, include a two-story, 1,200-seat performance auditorium, two multipurpose labs, fine arts offices, an art exhibit gallery, and essential back-of-house support spaces.
Located on Stockard Drive in East Frisco, adjacent to Hunt Middle School and opposite Stonebriar Community Church on Legendary Drive, the facility aims to serve as a host for events, UIL competitions, and evaluative contests. This strategic positioning also addresses the need to reduce fine arts instructional time lost at host campuses.
The Visual and Performing Arts Center aligns with the district's commitment to providing opportunities for fine arts education. With tens of thousands of students actively participating in fine arts programs through the District's student opportunity model:
- All elementary students receive instruction in music and visual art.
- 78% of middle school students are involved in fine arts instruction.
- 51% of high school students actively participate in fine arts programs.
The center is designed to expand collaboration among fine arts students across campuses and programs, offering a larger event space capable of accommodating performances across different disciplines, campuses, and grade levels.
Pete Hazzard, managing director of fine arts, reflected on the project, stating, "An inheritance is something you leave to someone else. A legacy is something you leave in them. This facility is a legacy of support that will forever remain in the hearts and minds of fine arts students and teachers in this district."
