23 May 2006
Ceremony for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts to Showcase Student Performers
DALLAS–DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, District 5 Trustee Lew Blackburn and representatives from the Arts Magnet Building Campaign will join community leaders, elected officials and student performers at the groundbreaking ceremony for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, 10 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at 2501 Flora Street.
The total cost of construction for rebuilding and expanding the school is $47 million. In an innovative public/private partnership between DISD and the Booker T. Washington Advisory Board, the construction will be financed with $15 million from the 2002 Bond Program and $32 million to be raised by the Arts Magnet Building Campaign. About $24.5 million has been raised to date.
A historic landmark built in 1922, Booker T. Washington will receive renovations and remodeling to the entire original construction. The school also is scheduled to receive a 168,000 square-foot addition, featuring 41 teaching spaces including classrooms, laboratories, performance areas, a performance hall, dining area, kitchen, media center, and black box theatre.
Student singers, dancers, musicians and mimes are scheduled to perform at the groundbreaking.