The Boyd Vance Theatre at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center is currently being renovated. The Carver will remain open during construction while the Theatre wing is closed. In addition to the Theatre renovation, the facility will also have its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls replaced, restroom plumbing fixture replacement, and improved lighting in certain areas. The Carver will be closed during these periods. The Parks and Recreation Department anticipates improvements being completed in Spring 2024. City Council District 1
Updates
The Department has issued a notice to proceed to the contractor to begin the Theatre renovation construction process. The facility will remain open during construction.
Background
The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center is dedicated to the collection, preservation, research and exhibition of African-American historical and cultural material. The Boyd Vance Theatre is an indoor performance space at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, located at 1165 Angelina Street. The Theatre space currently seats 134 in stadium-style seating.
Boyd Vance was a stage actor known for advancing African American performing arts in Austin. In addition to advancing performing arts in Austin, Vance worked with the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention and and organized and advocated among gay men of color.
The Theatre opened with the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in 2005 and was named after Boyd Vance in 2006.
Project Description
The renovation project will address various accessibility issues throughout the facility and theater; theater house and stage lighting replacement with energy efficient LED fixtures, updated audio and visual systems for current theatre performance needs, new and repaired stage rigging and fly cabling system; new storage solutions throughout the backstage of the theater, new dance room and theater stage flooring; HVAC control and building heating system replacement; restroom plumbing fixture replacement; and improved lighting in the administrative, conference, and classroom areas. Advance notice of these closures will be provided. Several fixtures in the main restrooms will be replaced, and some restrooms may be closed during construction.
These improvements to the Carver are separate from the anticipated Phase 1 implementation of the CaverATX Facility Expansion Plan.
Anticipated Timeline
- August 2023: Boyd Vance Theatre closed for construction
- Fall 2023: Construction begins (ongoing)
- Spring 2024: Construction complete
Funding and Resources
The project will be funded by the 2018 general obligation bond.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact Alyssa Tharrett, Project Management Supervisor, by email or by phone at (512) 974-9508.