Irving Arts Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated visual and performing arts complex on North MacArthur Boulevard in Irving. Its 10-acre campus combines two theaters, five galleries, and a sculpture garden, which makes it the city’s main stop for concerts, stage productions, and rotating exhibitions (Irving Arts Center).
Performances take place in two fully equipped theaters, including the larger Carpenter Performance Hall and the more intimate Dupree Theater, where local symphony, theater, and dance groups share the calendar with touring acts. The galleries change exhibitions regularly. They mix Smithsonian traveling shows with contemporary and traditional work by established and emerging artists (Visit Irving). Outside, the landscaped sculpture garden is an easy place for a walk before a show. The center also offers classes and creative programs for children and adults. D Magazine named it “Best in the Burbs,” and it hosts roughly 275 events a year (FindGlocal).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Gallery admission is free. The galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. (Irving Arts Center). For the quietest browsing, visit on a weekday afternoon. Book performance tickets early, since weekend evening shows and holiday programs sell out first. Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before curtain so you have time to park and walk the sculpture garden. Driving is the most practical way to get there, and the campus sits a short drive from Las Colinas and DFW Airport. Check the visit page for current schedules.
