Bath House Cultural Center

The first of six neighborhood cultural centers, the Bath House Cultural Center, was built and managed by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. It is located east of White Rock Lake, east Dallas, Texas (USA). It serves all of Dallas, but especially the eastern part of the city.

The Dallas Landmark is the Bath House, which was built in 1930 and is one of the first Art Deco buildings to be constructed in the southwest. Jon Carsey, a Dallas architect, designed it. He was inspired by the 1925 Paris Exposition. The Municipal Bath House, as it was known at the time, was used by Dallas citizens to escape the summer heat. The building had a sandy beach that stretched out into the lake. There were locker rooms on the ground floor, and concession stands in basement. The Bath House was closed in 1958 and swimming was banned to prevent the lake from being used as a water supply to the city. Over twenty years, the building remained unoccupied. The old Bath House was renovated by the East Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Park and Recreation Department, and Dallas City Arts Program in 1980. It was the first neighborhood cultural centre in the city.

Today, the Bath House Cultural Center serves artists and independent theatres in Dallas. It hosts 15-20 exhibitions and more than 200 performances, concerts festivals, workshops, lectures, and other events each year.

The White Rock Lake Museum was opened in 2004 and focuses on the area's natural history, cultural history, and wildlife.

The Festival of Independent Theatres is held every summer at the Bath House. The Festival of Independent Theatres is a showcase for Dallas independent theatres that don't have a permanent home. It has become a signature event at the Bath House Cultural Center.

The semi-annual Art Mart is held every fall and spring at the Bath House. The Art Mart features around 40 Texas artists. The artists work in many media, including photographers, sculptors and metal workers, as well as jewelry makers. There will be food, music, and a silent auction in addition to the art sale.

The 25th anniversary of the Bath House Cultural Center was celebrated in September 2006.