Crandall ISD

Crandall ISD broke ground this week on a new Performing Arts Center (PAC) that will connect directly to Crandall High School and serve as a hub for the district’s growing fine arts programs.

Construction is set to begin immediately, with the facility expected to open its doors in December 2026. The PAC’s audience chamber will seat 820 people and provide students with a professional-level venue for concerts, theater productions, and more. DLR Group is the architect for the project, and Gallagher Construction will lead the build.

“It is such an exciting day to get to break ground on something we've waited a long, long time for,” said Superintendent Dr. AJ Murry.

CISD Board President Ryan Eskridge praised the scope and ambition of the project, saying, “To be putting up an 800-seat state-of-the-art performing arts center is really nothing short of a miracle.”

John Nutt, the district’s Director of Fine Arts, emphasized the impact of the center on students: “This building reflects a community, a school board, and a superintendent who believe in the power of the arts — not just for art’s sake — but for what the arts do for our students.”

The new PAC is expected to significantly enhance the district’s fine arts offerings, providing students in art, band, choir, dance, and theatre with a dedicated space to showcase their talents.

The project also includes a commissioned glass art installation for the PAC lobby by artist Carlyn Ray. The piece will incorporate student-made fused glass and include a STEAM experience for Crandall ISD students at the artist’s Dallas studio.

Follow the link for more photos from the groundbreaking event and renderings of the PAC: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjChqTX