Did you know that 80% of students in Frisco Independent School District (FISD) participate in fine arts programs? With more than 63,000 students and a strong commitment to arts education, the district has long prioritized providing exceptional opportunities in the visual and performing arts.
In 2018, FISD took a major step toward that goal by proposing the creation of a Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) for its students. Voters approved the plan as part of a $691 million bond package that funded new schools, facility improvements, and maintenance projects throughout the district. Of that amount, $43 million was specifically allocated to construct a state-of-the-art fine arts facility on land already owned by FISD.
Following extensive planning, public meetings, and board discussions, construction began in May 2024. One year later, FISD fine arts teachers, students, current and former board members, and district staff gathered at the construction site for a topping-off ceremony, signing one of the final structural beams to mark a significant milestone. Now, the FISD Visual and Performing Arts Center is set to officially open as students return to school this month.
The district's vision for the VPAC is to expand opportunities for students while elevating fine arts programming across all grade levels. The facility will be used more than 160 days each year and may also host community events. With a 1,200-seat performance hall, the VPAC is twice the size of a typical FISD auditorium, allowing for larger performances, productions, and events. The center will also provide space to host major academic competitions, including University Interscholastic League (UIL) events, reducing travel time for students and keeping them in the classroom.
The state-of-the-art facility includes a visual arts gallery, dance rehearsal studio, theater auditorium, and meeting spaces for professional development. Designed to support K-12 programming throughout the district, the VPAC has received widespread praise from teachers, staff, and administrators.
To celebrate the facility's nearing completion, FISD hosted preview performances and art exhibits last spring. Nearly 7,000 community members toured the building and expressed excitement about its impact on students and the arts.
Throughout the summer, district staff focused on final commissioning, operational planning, and training in preparation for the opening.
“It has been incredible watching this project take shape from an idea on paper into a place where students can share their talents,” says Dr. Todd Fouche, FISD Superintendent of Schools. “To now see students performing and creating in this space is both rewarding and inspiring. I'm grateful to the many people whose vision and support made the facility possible.”
That excitement is shared by Preston Hazzard, FISD Managing Director of Fine Arts.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see this vision become a reality,” Hazzard says. “The Visual and Performing Arts Center was designed with students at the heart of every decision, and now they have a space that matches their talent and dedication. I’m excited for our community to experience all that this facility will make possible for generations to come.”
Widely recognized in Texas and across the nation for its innovative fine arts programming, Frisco ISD continues to invest in opportunities that inspire creativity, collaboration, and student success. The new Visual and Performing Arts Center stands as a testament to that commitment and promises to serve generations of students for years to come.
The Visual and Performing Arts Center was designed with students at the heart of every decision, and now they have a space that matches their talent and dedication.