The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, often called TBAAL, stands as a truly special place where creative individuals truly flourish and grow. It's a spot in Dallas, Texas, that has made a big impact on the arts scene for a long time. This organization, you know, provides a welcoming home for African American artists, helping them share their amazing talents with the wider world.
When you visit the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, you get a chance to see firsthand what wonderful things they have to offer. They present a wide array of performances and educational programs, all designed to highlight and celebrate the many contributions made by African American artists and thoughtful scholars. It's a place that really believes in the power of artistic expression.
This institution, as a matter of fact, has been championing and honoring the creative work of Black artists, writers, and performers since 1977. It's a cultural cornerstone in Dallas, Texas, that supports African Americans in both the visual and performing arts, which is pretty cool.
Table of Contents
- What is the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL)?
- A Rich History and Vision
- The Founder: Curtis King
- Performances and Programs at TBAAL
- TBAAL's Commitment to Education
- Where to Find TBAAL: Current and Future Homes
- Getting Your Tickets and What to Expect
- Frequently Asked Questions
- A Continuing Story of Art and Culture
What is the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL)?
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, known commonly as TBAAL, is a significant cultural organization located in Dallas, Texas. It exists to give support to African Americans involved in the visual and performing arts, which is really important work. This organization, you know, puts on a lot of shows and events every single year.
It's a place that truly dedicates itself to making people aware of Black artistic achievements. Moreover, it works hard to find, encourage, and help young artists get started. This commitment to nurturing new talent is a big part of what makes TBAAL so special, you know.
TBAAL offers a variety of performances and educational programs, all created to show off and celebrate the contributions of African American artists and scholars. They truly believe in providing the best possible education through the arts to every student who walks through their doors, which is a wonderful goal.
A Rich History and Vision
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, or TBAAL, has a deep history, having promoted and celebrated the contributions of Black artists, writers, and performers since 1977. It's a place that has been doing this important work for nearly five decades, which is quite a stretch of time. The organization, you know, has a really strong foundation.
Its structure, in a way, was shaped by its forerunner, the American Negro Academy. The original Black Academy of Arts and Letters, or BAAL, was created with the idea of bringing together Black artists and scholars from all corners of the globe. This was a very ambitious and inclusive vision, you know.
Interestingly, on March 5, 1897, in Washington, D.C., a significant organization was founded by Reverend Alexander Crummell. He was the son of a West African tribal chief from the Temme tribe and also an American literary giant. His work, you know, laid some groundwork for later institutions like TBAAL.
What started out as the "Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters" (JBA) almost five decades ago, later rebranded itself as the Black Academy of Arts and Letters. This shows a kind of evolution in the organization's name and focus, which is pretty interesting. They've been around for a good while, in some form or another.
The Founder: Curtis King
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) was founded by Curtis King in 1977. He is the founder and president of this important organization, which is a big responsibility. Mr. King, you know, has dedicated a significant portion of his life to this cause.
Curtis King was born on December 20, 1951, in Coldwater, Mississippi. His father, Jonah King, worked as a farmer. These details, you know, give us a little glimpse into his background.
For over 16 years, Curtis King traveled across the country to visit and study major music festivals, especially those that focused on jazz music. This extensive research, you know, really helped him shape the vision for TBAAL's programming and events.
Curtis King: Key Details
| Full Name | Curtis King |
| Born | December 20, 1951 |
| Birthplace | Coldwater, Mississippi |
| Father's Name | Jonah King |
| Role at TBAAL | Founder and President |
Performances and Programs at TBAAL
TBAAL hosts more than one hundred performances each year, which is quite a lot of activity. They put on a wide range of shows and events for the public to enjoy. This variety, you know, means there's often something for everyone.
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters has produced many gospel musicals and historical works over the years. Some of these gospel musicals were touring groups, even featuring Tyler Perry in plays. That's a pretty notable connection, you know, showing the reach of their productions.
They also feature specific types of events, like "Poets N Jazz #6," which was scheduled for July 11th and 12th. Another event, "Poetry Smash," was set for July 17th. These events, you know, show their commitment to different forms of artistic expression.
The organization also puts on the annual Riverfront Jazz Festival. Crews work almost constantly to get the stage ready for this big event, like the 7th annual festival that was mentioned. It sounds like a really significant gathering for jazz lovers, you know, and a lot of effort goes into it.
There was a time when they truly rose to a challenge, performing a powerful revue. This show featured vintage and modern hits by legendary Black producers. It sounds like they put on a very impressive and memorable performance, which is pretty cool.
TBAAL's Commitment to Education
TBAAL is deeply committed to giving the best possible education through the arts to every student who comes through their doors. They really believe in this mission, you know. This focus on education is a core part of what they do.
They hold the belief that training and exposure offer students a real chance to grow and develop their talents. This kind of hands-on learning, you know, can make a big difference in a young person's life. It's about more than just entertainment.
The organization also has a Youth Academy, which is part of their broader educational efforts. This academy, you know, likely provides specialized programs for younger individuals interested in the arts. It's a good way to get them involved early.
African American studies, which TBAAL supports in its programming, explore history, culture, and justice. Through these studies, people learn about Black literature, politics, music, and social movements. This learning, you know, also helps them gain skills to lead and advocate for important causes.
Where to Find TBAAL: Current and Future Homes
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) has traditionally been located within the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) in downtown Dallas. This has been its home for a while, you know, making it a central part of the city's cultural offerings.
However, due to a massive $3.7 billion overhaul of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, TBAAL will be forced to move temporarily. This is a significant change for the organization, you know, but they are adapting.
In March 2025, the Black Academy of Arts and Letters was temporarily moved to Fair Park. Specifically, it will be moved to the Women's Museum in Fair Park while the convention center is being rebuilt. This temporary relocation, you know, allows them to continue their operations without interruption.
Their physical address used to be 1309 Canton Street in Dallas, Texas 75201. The mailing address for the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex is 650 South Griffin Street, Dallas, Texas 75202. These details, you know, are helpful for finding their locations.
Getting Your Tickets and What to Expect
If you want to attend programs or events at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, you can buy official tickets from the Ticketmaster.com site. This is the recommended way to get your tickets, you know, ensuring they are legitimate.
It's important to know that the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) does not control resale or other third-party ticket outlets. They are not connected with any other third-party ticket distributors, so it's best to stick to official channels. This is a very good piece of advice, you know, to avoid any issues.
You can also find the Black Academy of Arts and Letters schedule and reviews online. This allows you to plan your visit and see what performances are coming up. For example, on Saturday, May 31st, 2025, as part of her tour, the Black Academy of Arts and Letters will be playing at Bruton. This kind of information, you know, helps you keep up with their events.
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters is appreciative and pleased to welcome everyone to their scheduled rental events. They truly aim to accommodate visitors graciously. So, you know, you can expect a warm reception when you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Black Academy of Arts and Letters?
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) is a cultural organization in Dallas, Texas, that supports African Americans in the visual and performing arts. It works to stimulate awareness of Black artistic accomplishments and also helps identify, encourage, and support young artists. It’s a very important place for the arts, you know.
Where is the Black Academy of Arts and Letters located?
TBAAL has been located in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) in downtown Dallas. However, in March 2025, it temporarily moved to Fair Park, specifically to the Women's Museum, during renovations of the KBHCCD. So, you know, its location is changing for a bit.
Who founded the Black Academy of Arts and Letters?
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) was founded by Curtis King in 1977. He is also the current founder and president of the organization. He has done a lot of work to bring this institution to life, you know, and keep it going strong.
A Continuing Story of Art and Culture
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, or TBAAL, continues to be a vital cultural organization in Dallas, Texas. It stands as a place where artists truly thrive and grow, offering a wide range of performances and educational opportunities. This institution, you know, plays a very big part in celebrating and promoting African American artistic contributions.
Even with temporary changes to its location, the commitment of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters to its mission remains strong. You can always find out more about their amazing work and upcoming events. Learn more about their programs on our site, and plan your visit to this important cultural institution to experience it for yourself. To get official tickets and see their schedule, you can visit Ticketmaster.com, which is a reliable source.
