Arts and culture
Dallas serves unforgettable experiences throughout the year to showcase the best of local culture and global artistry. Live music, museums, theaters and festivals are all within a short drive from campus.
With institutions including the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Contemporary and many others, Dallas has made a name for itself in the art world. Discover contemporary, modern and classical art through museums, galleries and major exhibitions. The Meadows Museum is situated right here on SMU’s campus and holds the largest collection of Spanish art outside of Spain.
Just a few steps from the DMA, you can attend plays, musicals, the symphony, operas and stand-up comedy in architecturally significant theaters. You can also see live music at one of Deep Ellum’s historic venues or catch a major tour at American Airlines Center, watch an improv show in Lower Greenville, check out a dance performance from the award-winning Dallas Black Dance Theatre... the options are endless.
Dallas-Fort Worth has a rich cinematic history and is currently an industry hot spot with increased film and TV production in the area. Oak Cliff’s Texas Theater screens classic films and hosts movie premieres. At the Angelika Film Center, less than a mile from campus, you can catch new releases and attend the many film festivals held there, including the USA Film Festival.
Dallas was actually just voted the No. 1 Arts District in the country in 2025 for the second year in a row by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It’s great for arts majors, but also for all SMU students, to have those opportunities.
Will Emmert ’25
Request Information