Creating a Productive Space for Artists

Who

MISSION

The Sammons Center for the Arts grows the arts by providing a welcoming home for artists and arts groups to innovate, collaborate, and thrive, enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. Continue reading to learn more about Sammons Art Center.

VISION

A dynamic and inclusive community where artists are valued and empowered.

We Believe That

  • The Arts should be accessible to all.
  • The Arts ecosystem needs both small and large organizations.
  • The Arts can help build community and provoke new thinking.
  • The Arts are a core asset of any thriving economy.

How

We are often called an "Incubator," but prefer the term "Greenhouse." A greenhouse cultivates and protects young, tender plants by providing a stable environment and the resources they need to grow. Similarly, local arts groups rely on the Sammons Center for a nurturing space and vital resources. The artistic energy these groups create is unlike any other — it's the warm, "family" feeling you get when you step through our doors.

16 resident arts organizations create and work out of the Sammons Center. These are small and midsized arts nonprofits that tell stories through adventurous, unique work and represent culturally rich communities. Another 100+ groups use our building for rehearsals, performances, and meetings year-round.

Performing arts groups at the Sammons Center benefit from shared administrative and technology resources, as well as subsidized rent, professional development opportunities, and proximity to other arts organizations. All these and more help build an artistic home, providing the stability they need to continue creating great art.

Learn More

Donate & Grow the Arts
Learn About Our Historic Building

Services for Local Performing Arts Groups

  • The only provider of low-cost office, rehearsal, performance, and meeting space.
  • Copy, fax, automated mail services, express mail, package receiving, and postal lock boxes.
  • Free notary services.
  • Library and information center with books on fundraising, arts management, marketing, arts administration, etc.
  • Computer and technology center with computer equipment and software programs such as Word, Excel, desktop publishing, and internet access.

Resident Groups

Academy of Bangla Arts & Culture

African American Repertory Theater

Beckles Dancing Company

Cara Mía Theatre Co

Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition

Dallas Swing Dance Society

Dance Council of North Texas

Fine Arts Chamber Players

Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra

The Mexico Institute

New Arts Six

New Texas Symphony Orchestra

Turtle Creek Chorale

USA Dance Dallas

Voices of Change

The Women's Chorus of Dallas

Learn More About Our Resident Groups

MEET THE STAFF

Joanna St. Angelo

Executive Director
Position Endowed by Sammons Enterprises

I grew up in frigid Duluth, Minnesota and am the oldest of seven children.

I can’t sing, dance or act, but I can cook. I won a purple ribbon on my cherry pie at the county fair when I was 12.

I have had my dream job as Executive Director of the Sammons Center for more than 30 years.

I am a dog person and currently have a crazy German Shorthaired Pointer named Sundance who I have nicknamed “Wild Thing.”

Close up shot of an old lady smiling at the camera

Joanna St. Angelo

Executive Director, Position Endowed by Sammons Enterprises

Joanna St. Angelo
Executive Director

Position Endowed by Sammons Enterprises

I grew up in frigid Duluth, Minnesota and am the oldest of seven children.

I can’t sing, dance or act, but I can cook. I won a purple ribbon on my cherry pie at the county fair when I was 12.

I have had my dream job as Executive Director of the Sammons Center for more than 30 years.

I am a dog person and currently have a crazy German Shorthaired Pointer named Sundance who I have nicknamed “Wild Thing.”

Joanna's Bio

Michael Cook

Assistant Director

Howdy! I’m Michael. I was born in Kansas, grew up in Houston, and I’ve been in Dallas since 1994. I have a lot of unusual hobbies; I’ve devoted immense amounts of time to silk reeling, tablet weaving, and two-step dancing, and I’ve given a good college try to everything from knitting to silverpoint. I’ve written articles on fiber-arts techniques for several national publications, and I travel and teach from time to time. I’m an out-and-proud weirdo; I make my own soap and study lucid dreaming.

I live in Oak Cliff with my husband Chris, three little dogs, two cats, and a big organic garden full of fascinating nature which I enjoy studying and photographing. We used to have chickens, but need to re-cooperate after an attack of raccoons.

I’ve been with the Sammons Center since 1999, and I’ve seen a lot of growth and change here over the past twenty years!

Close up shot of an old man smiling at the camera

Michael Cook

Assistant Director

Michael Cook
Assistant Director

Howdy! I’m Michael. I was born in Kansas, grew up in Houston, and I’ve been in Dallas since 1994. I have a lot of unusual hobbies; I’ve devoted immense amounts of time to silk reeling, tablet weaving, and two-step dancing, and I’ve given a good college try to everything from knitting to silverpoint. I’ve written articles on fiber-arts techniques for several national publications, and I travel and teach from time to time. I’m an out-and-proud weirdo; I make my own soap and study lucid dreaming.

I live in Oak Cliff with my husband Chris, three little dogs, two cats, and a big organic garden full of fascinating nature which I enjoy studying and photographing. We used to have chickens, but need to re-cooperate after an attack of raccoons.

I’ve been with the Sammons Center since 1999, and I’ve seen a lot of growth and change here over the past twenty years!

Michael's Bio

Claire Mock

Director of Development

Hi there! I'm Claire. I am delighted to champion the work of the Sammons Center for the Arts as the Director of Development. 

I have lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area for over twenty years! I love North Texas and want to help make our community a better, more inclusive, and vibrant place now and for future generations. 

I love the performing arts, although I fancy myself more as a patron than a performer. While I enjoy attending live performances like musicals and concerts, I am also happy to listen to a good playlist on my patio. 

My husband and I have an adorable and energetic daughter named Ellis. We enjoy spending time with our three rescues (Isla, Ike, and Ivan), being outside, gardening, cooking, watching some of our favorite shows (Wheel of Fortune, Big Brother, and Survivor), building LEGO sets, and eating out!

Claire Mock

Director of Development

Claire Mock
Director of Development

Hi there! I'm Claire. I am delighted to champion the work of the Sammons Center for the Arts as the Director of Development. 

I have lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area for over twenty years! I love North Texas and want to help make our community a better, more inclusive, and vibrant place now and for future generations. 

I love the performing arts, although I fancy myself more as a patron than a performer. While I enjoy attending live performances like musicals and concerts, I am also happy to listen to a good playlist on my patio. 

My husband and I have an adorable and energetic daughter named Ellis. We enjoy spending time with our three rescues (Isla, Ike, and Ivan), being outside, gardening, cooking, watching some of our favorite shows (Wheel of Fortune, Big Brother, and Survivor), building LEGO sets, and eating out!

Claire's Bio

Patricia Stewart-Gordon

Director of Finance

Coming Soon

Close up shot of an old wo man wearing a coat smiling at the camera

Patricia Stewart-Gordon

Director of Finance

Patricia Stewart-Gordon
Director of Finance

BIO COMING SOON

Patricia's Bio

Arlington Jones

Artistic Director

Kara Walton

Office & Communications Coordinator

Hello All! I’m Kara!

I came to DFW in 2016 to study at the University of North Texas where I double-majored in Jazz Voice and Speech-Language Pathology! I have been a musician for a long time, starting with classical piano and eventually taking an interest in singing. I kept myself busy at UNT by performing, touring, and recording with two of their flagship ensembles: UNT Jazz Singers and the One O’Clock Lab Band.

I grew up a military kid moving every few years so by the time I was 21 I had already lived in 5 different states and 3 different countries! Included in that was my time spent studying abroad at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. Needless to say, I love to travel!

I live just north of Lower Greenville with my partner, Phil, and our crazy terrier mix rescue pup, Murphy. I enjoy getting creative with my hands with various art projects as well as tending to my many houseplants! I also enjoy working on a variety of music projects, especially arranging for Vocal Jazz Ensembles.

I’m new here at Sammons and couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team! Stop by and say hi!

Close up shot of a beautiful lady smiling at the camera

Kara Walton

Office Communications Coordinator

Kara Walton
Office & Communications Coordinator

Hello All! I’m Kara!

I came to DFW in 2016 to study at the University of North Texas where I double-majored in Jazz Voice and Speech-Language Pathology! I have been a musician for a long time, starting with classical piano and eventually taking an interest in singing. I kept myself busy at UNT by performing, touring, and recording with two of their flagship ensembles: UNT Jazz Singers and the One O’Clock Lab Band.

I grew up a military kid moving every few years so by the time I was 21 I had already lived in 5 different states and 3 different countries! Included in that was my time spent studying abroad at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. Needless to say, I love to travel!

I live just north of Lower Greenville with my partner, Phil, and our crazy terrier mix rescue pup, Murphy. I enjoy getting creative with my hands with various art projects as well as tending to my many houseplants! I also enjoy working on a variety of music projects, especially arranging for Vocal Jazz Ensembles.

I’m new here at Sammons and couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team! Stop by and say hi!

Kara's Bio

Marica Cruz

Assistant Office Coordinator

Hello! If you were wondering, my name is pronounced “muh-REE-kuh”.

I started here as an intern from Cedar Valley College in the Spring of 2017. Currently, I am a student of the College of Applied & Collaborative Studies at the University of North Texas, with a concentration in Media Management.

My family immigrated from the Philippines when I was 4 years old and settled in Dallas, Texas in 2001. Music and the arts were always a part of my life growing up taking piano lessons and volunteering at festivals. 

Not only does the Sammons Center “grow the arts,” but has helped me grow in the beginnings of my career. My dreams are made reality here and I’m blessed to be part of a team that cares so much, not only about the arts, but the individual people involved in each aspect of the organization.

Close up shot of a beautiful lady smiling at the camera

Marica Cruz

Assistant Office Coordinator

Marica Cruz
Assistant Office Coordinator

Hello! If you were wondering, my name is pronounced “muh-REE-kuh”.

My hobbies include playing the piano, watching DIY videos, and spending time with my Australian shepherd/border collie mix Milo.

I started at the Sammons Center as music business intern in the Spring of 2017 from Cedar Valley College. Not only does the Sammons Center “grow the arts,” but has helped me grow in the beginnings of my career. My dreams are cradled here and I’m happy to be part of a team that cares so much, not only about the arts, but the individual people involved in each organization.

Marica's Bio

Jaime Torres

Building Supervisor

Charles Ragsdale

Assistant Building & Event Coordinator

Board of Directors

Officers

Michael L. Riddle, President
Zaida Basora, FAIA, Vice President
G. Timothy Hardin, Secretary
Lucas LaChance, CPA, CIA, Treasurer

Directors

John Alvarado
Lori Bensing
Joshua Black
Seema Deshpande
Faynetta Fort
Tracy E. Fulton
Jeff Kempf
Christopher A. Poinsatte
Smitha Radhakrishnan

Emeritus Board

Brian Eliot Williams, Chairman
Gayle Z. Halperin
Salvatore J. Olimpio, CPA

Advisory Board

Christopher Cree
Trammell S. Crow
John A. Cuellar
Daniel L. Curry
Hector & Clara Hinojosa
Jo Kurth Jagoda
Rodger Kobes, M.D.
Jay W. Lorch
Astrid Merriman
Henry R. Pearson
Frank E. Stevenson II
John & Bonnie Strauss
Tom Timmons

PLAN YOUR VISIT – FAQ’S

Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Building Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: Noon – 8:00 PM (Closed on Sundays in June, July, and August)

The building is closed on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. For specific holiday closings, call (214) 520-7788.

The Sammons Center for the Arts is located at 3630 Harry Hines Boulevard, between North Houston Street and Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas, TX. The driveway to the building is accessible from the right lane of northbound Harry Hines Blvd. From southbound Harry Hines Blvd., make a U-turn at N. Houston St. (this is a signal-protected turn).

There are 58 surface parking lot spaces adjacent to the building and 37 additional spaces below the Dallas North Tollway overpass and near North Houston Street. For guests attending Sammons Jazz, Sammons Cabaret, and Sammons Discovery performances, complimentary valet parking is included in admission.

Resident arts organizations and other groups renting the Sammons Center may need to purchase valet services. Guests attending an event presented by a resident or other group at the Center may visit the Partner Events page or contact the presenting organization to confirm parking options.

All levels of the Sammons Center are accessible to wheelchair users and others with special needs. The North Meadows Hall doors and the main front entry doors are fully wheelchair accessible and equipped with automatic door openers. From the sidewalk on Harry Hines Blvd., an accessible ramp is located at the northwest corner of the building. Handicap parking is available in the Center lot. All restrooms have fully accessible stalls. Certified service animals are welcome.

Guests typically wear casual, comfortable clothing. Sammons Jazz: A reception including beverages on the second floor from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Table seating for 2 – 8 people (first come, first served). Sammons Cabaret: Reception with beverages from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the second floor, followed by the concert in Kurth Hall at 8:00 PM. Beverages are allowed in Kurth Hall; seating provides small side tables to hold your beverage. Most concerts include a brief intermission. Sammons Discovery: Beverages in Meadows Hall beginning at 7:30 PM when doors open; music begins at 8:00 PM; open seating.

Sammons Jazz, Cabaret, and Discovery: Complimentary valet and beverages.

Guests typically wear casual, comfortable clothing. Some attendees wear cocktail attire.