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Frisco Center for the Arts

Planning Project 2023 - 2025

Project update: October 2024


The Frisco Center for the Arts (FCFA) is envisioned to be a vibrant center for visual and performing arts that fosters creativity, enriches the community, boosts arts and entertainment tourism, and supports the growing demand for arts and entertainment experiences in Frisco and the surrounding areas. The facility will offer state-of-the-art spaces for both large-scale productions and smaller-scale performances, visual arts exhibitions, and will ensure accessibility for local and regional artists, Frisco residents, and visitors alike.


On October 28, 2024, the City of Frisco announced plans to partner with the Prosper Independent School District (PISD) on a proposed Frisco Center for the Arts (FCFA) and collaborate with Broadway Across America / Broadway Dallas to create a ‘Broadway Frisco’ series to reside in the facility.  The vision for the FCFA includes a 2,800-seat performance hall, capable of accommodating Broadway and large touring and community productions, as well as a 300 to 400-seat community hall, to be used primarily by Prosper ISD while also providing access to community organizations and events. The proposed facility also includes support spaces, rehearsal areas, and visual arts creative spaces.


The full press release and additional detail presented in an FAQ format are available below:

Project update: September 2024


On September 17, 2024 Theatre Projects and Keen Independent Research presented the findings of Phase 1 to City Council. A recording of the presentation and the accompanying slides are available below:

Phase 2 Authorization


City of Frisco City Council has authorized a 10-month continued project planning process (Phase 2), led by Theatre Projects in collaboration with Turner & Townsend Heery. The project team includes:


Project management: Theatre Projects and Turner & Townsend Heery LLC

Research & development: Keen Independent Research, Theatre Projects

Theatre planning: Theatre Projects

Site analysis: Turner & Townsend Heery LLC, Theatre Projects

Costing: Cost+Plus


Upcoming meetings

  • Community Engagement Sessions: TBA
  • City Council Presentation: January 2025

 

Phase 2 key tasks (10 months)


Oct

2024

Nov

2024

Dec

2024

Jan

2025

Feb

2025

March

2025

April

2025

May

2025

June

2025

July 2025

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Final presentation

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DESIGN











Design concept RFQ











Refine concept design











Update costing model











OPERATIONS











Operator RFP - Frisco model verification











Business plan updates











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Project hotline


We’d love to hear from you! For questions or comments about the project, please contact the project team at FriscoCenter@TheatreProjects.com or call 945-205-0766.

 

This website will also be updated based on availability of information, and you can also join our email list by entering your contact information here:


Project History: Phase 1

 

During the summer of 2023, Theatre Projects in collaboration with Keen Independent Research concluded a feasibility study that explored the current and future arts and entertainment market in Frisco and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and outlined suggested business planning and concept development for the potential arts and entertainment center.  

You can find the 2023 Frisco Center for the Arts Business Plan report here:


In Fall 2023, the City of Frisco City Council approved the 18-month project planning process, led by Theatre Projects in collaboration with Keen Independent Research to further develop the concept. The goal of this phase of analysis was to provide the City of Frisco with a clear understanding of the size, cost, scale, and impact of a potential arts and entertainment center in the city.


Divided across three phases of work, Phase 1 of the project included tours of facilities across the country, development and analysis of a club model, concept design, community engagement, site analysis, and project costing.


The Phase 1 project team included:

 

Project management: Theatre Projects

Theatre planning & concept design: Theatre Projects

Research & development: Keen Independent Research, Theatre Projects

Site analysis: Turner & Townsend Heery LLC, Theatre Projects

Costing: Cost+Plus

Funding: CCS Fundraising, Keen Independent Research


In January of 2024, members of the project team presented round one of the concept design for the potential new Frisco Center for the Arts. The initial concept overview can be found here:

Concept evolution


On June 25 2024, members of the project team presented a project update to City of Frisco City Council to share initial findings from community engagement and developments with potential partners. City Council provided direction regarding an evolution of the concept for the arts complex. The presentation is available here:

Community engagement


Theatre Projects and Keen Independent Research implemented comprehensive community engagement for the proposed center for the arts in Frisco. Phase 1 included the Frisco community in conversations about elements of the prospective new center for the arts, including site, size, operations, and access.


  • An interactive survey was launched to share design concepts and solicit written feedback from the public. This interactive survey was open from May 6, 2024 until May 26, 2024.


  • On May 15, 2024, Theatre Projects hosted two open house sessions at City Hall:
  • Local arts organizations provided feedback on the overall design concept and the facility program.
  • The general public received an update on project progress and provided feedback via listening sessions.


  • On May 29, 2024, Theatre Projects and Keen Independent Research hosted a virtual open house via Zoom:
  • This was an opportunity to educate the public on project progress and solicit feedback.
  • This session also provided a recap of the trends emerging from the input of the in-person town hall event.


  • On June 26, 2024, Theatre Projects and Keen Independent hosted an open house session at City Hall:
  • Local arts organizations received an update on project progress and provided feedback on the updated design concept and the facility program.


  • On July 16, 2024 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, Theatre Projects and Keen Independent hosted an open house session at Frisco Public Library:
  • Frisco community members will receive an overview of concept evolution and summary of interactive survey data.


  • An interactive survey was conducted in July 2024 to solicit potential utilization from future users.

About the project team


This project is led by Theatre Projects in collaboration with Keen Independent Research and with the guidance of the Frisco City Council and the Frisco City Manager's Office.

 

Theatre Projects is a globally recognized planning and design firm focusing on the full life cycle of arts, culture, and entertainment projects including feasibility, concept, design, programming, and operations. We integrate our work to support and create gathering spaces that are feasible, sustainable, and fit for purpose—today and into the future.

  Turner & Townsend Heery LLC is a full-service project and program management firm with offices in Dallas, TX. It specializes in project and program management for public sector organizations, with industry-leading experts in K-12 education, higher education, cultural, healthcare, justice, sports, aviation, and government facilities.

Keen Independent Research is a national research firm with expertise in arts and culture. Keen Independent provides economic, financial, and market research and focuses on finding the human stories behind the numbers.

 

Cost+Plus is a professional firm dedicated to providing Project and cost management services for new and renovation cultural facility projects worldwide.


CCS Fundraising is a leading expert in campaign and development strategy. CCS plans and implements fundraising initiatives to help mission-driven organizations meet their most pressing challenges and achieve their ambitious goals.