Austin ISD officials broke ground on AISD’s new district-wide Performing Arts Center in the Mueller development on Aug. 6. The center, which will be located along Mueller Blvd. between 51st St. and Barbara Jordan Blvd., will host district band, orchestra, theater, dance and visual arts performances. Pfluger Associates Architects designed the 60,000 sq. ft. center, which is expected to be complete in fall 2014 and will include a 1,200-seat auditorium and a 250-seat black box theater.

“Today, we can see real progress and know that  the district is keeping its promise to AISD voters, who twice, once in 2004 and again in 2008, approved bond funding for purchase of land and construction of a district-wide Performing Arts Center,” Vince Torres, AISD board of trustees president, said. Torres was a chair of the 2004 Bond Program committee.

The Performing Arts Center will support the district’s goal of expanding access to the arts for all students.

“This facility is a symbol of our vision for the future of fine arts in AISD. As we shift away from a culture of testing to one that emphasizes academic standards of excellence and the strengths and interests of the whole child, we know that the fine arts are critical,” Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen said. “With a state-of-the-art facility like this one, our district will finally be able to offer students and families throughout the district a quality venue for theatre, dance, music and other fine arts performances.”

Use of the PAC will be available to the community at a fee when there are no conflicts with district use.

For facility site plans, visit http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/519410/final-design-of-aisd-performing-arts-center-nov.pdf.

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