I was fortunate enough to visit Dallas last week at the invitation of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. The arts leaders of Dallas created Arts Advocacy Day intended to teach arts professionals how to talk with government officials and to convince city government officials of the value and importance of the arts to the community. I was the luncheon speaker.

It was incredibly inspiring to see so many arts leaders working together. And for those of you who have not been to Dallas recently, the city is creating the most amazing arts district of any in America. There will be a new opera house and theater to join Meyerson Symphony Center and Dallas’ world class museums. There is a wonderful new facility for the arts magnet school. And there is the new home of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. This last is perhaps most astonishing to me. For this new home would be the envy of most American dance companies - and the fact that Ann Williams, the artistic director, Zenetta Drew, the executive director, the staff and the Board have made this happen is a testament to their skill, determination and vision.

But for all of the excitement these developments certainly deserve, one must be concerned, at least, that at the same time as these facilities are being opened, the ballet company in the city, Texas Ballet Theater is facing substantial financial challenges. One can read daily in the newspapers stories about debts to the local symphony and performance hall, cancelled tours, and threats of closure.

Texas Ballet Theater is meant to be one of three resident companies in the new opera house, designed by Norman Foster. It is easy for any city to suffer from Edifice Complex, raising large sums of money for new buildings but ignoring the operating funds required by arts organizations. I only hope that Dallas does not end up with the most beautiful, yet empty, facilities.