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Art&Seek was on the ground for Monday’s dedication of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. KERA reporter BJ Austin filed the radio report below, while KERA videographer Ivey Suber shot the video above.

• KERA radio report:

• Online version:

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday … there are glittering galas to celebrate the opening of the five-venue Performing Arts Center. In the Wyly Theatre, a special “theatrical experience” will be hosted by actor Bruce Willis. In the new Winspear Opera House, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves will perform. Sunday, it’s open house – everyone’s invited to enjoy free concerts from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, saxophonist David Sanborn, Texas Ballet Theatre and more.

At dedication ceremonies, AT&T Performing Arts Center Board Chairman Howard Hallam told the crowd that this Center is the start of something big for Dallas, and all of North Texas.

Hallam: “It will offer us opportunities to expand our minds and grow as individuals and as a community. That is the power of the performing arts.”

That is not lost on Dallas School Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa. The school district’s Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts is next door to the Opera House, across Flora Street from the Wyly, and has as its front yard the Sammons Performance Park.

Hinojosa: “This is just going to be incredible. They can just walk across the yard to come participate in these activities. And they can perform on this stage. They’re going to have tremendous careers because of everything that’s here at their disposal. So it’s going to be great.”

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert says a thriving arts complex and community is critical to the vitality and future of Dallas.