Annette Strauss Artist Square

Annette Strauss Artist Square, adjacent to the Winspear Opera House, is the city’s premier outdoor performing arts venue. Designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, with GFF serving as the Architect of Record, this venue pays homage to the late former Mayor of Dallas, Annette Strauss, a passionate supporter of the arts and the Dallas Arts District.

The venue hosts a variety of outdoor events, including concerts, theatrical and dance performances, and multi-day festivals, accommodating up to 5,000 people in a serene open-air setting. Strauss Square is a defining feature of Performance Park, the outdoor environment that unifies all of the Center’s venues. Combined with Performance Park, the space can accommodate even larger audiences, allowing for an expanded range of programming and broader community involvement.

The design includes a large performance lawn sloping towards a stage, with elevated side terraces for excellent stage views and a platform for concessions. The exterior of the Skokos Pavilion, part of the square, features diamond-shaped panels of silver anodized aluminum and brushed zinc, enhancing the play of light. The space is also equipped with a state-of-the-art audio system and a stage enclosure for enhanced lighting and staging capabilities​.