25 Years of the Washington Pavilion

Now – September 30, 2024

Visual Arts Center | Gallery 301

The journey began with Washington High School closing in 1992. It was one of the largest public school buildings in the nation and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Sioux Falls City Commission appointed the Washington Pavilion Advisory Board who recommended turning the school into the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science.

On October 19, 1993, voters in Sioux Falls approved issuing sales tax revenue bonds of up to $33 million for a convention center and the Washington Pavilion to be financed by an entertainment tax. The vote passed 51% versus 49%. Dan Kirby, a founding Washington Pavilion Board of Trustees member and champion for the project, on that day in October 1993, said: “The future called tonight and Sioux Falls answered.”

Over the next six years, numerous individuals and organizations worked tirelessly to revamp the former high school into the multi-faceted arts, science and cultural institution it is today.

The building, operated by Washington Pavilion Management, Inc., opened to the public on June 1, 1999, comprised of the Kirby Science Discovery Center, Visual Arts Center (previously the Civic Fine Arts Center), the Wells Fargo CineDome and the Husby Performing Arts Center. In its first year, the Washington Pavilion welcomed over 350,000 visitors from around the region and beyond.

The Washington Pavilion continues to be the region’s home for the arts, entertainment and science. Located in a beautifully renovated historic building in downtown Sioux Falls, it is one of only a few facilities in the world to bring together under one roof the performing arts, visual arts and interactive science. On June 1, 2024, the Washington Pavilion celebrates 25 years of serving this community. Celebrate with us!