UT Dallas is adding a 12-acre arts district

Dallas' wealthiest families are helping UT Dallas expand into the arts.

Why it matters: UT Dallas, known for its STEM programs , hopes to better serve students and visitors with a new 12-acre arts and performance district.

The big picture: The new university district, named the Edith and Peter O'Donnell Jr. Athenaeum , will have two museums, a performance hall, a music building and an outdoor plaza.

The latest: The Crow Museum of Asian Art , located in the Dallas Arts District, opened a second location last week on the UT Dallas campus as part of the first phase of the project.

State of play: UT Dallas received $32 million from the O'Donnell Foundation and roughly $25 million from the Crow family for its arts expansion. Construction will take place in three phases.

• The first phase includes a 57,000-square-foot building for the Crow Museum, UT Dallas' art galleries and a conservation studio.
• The second phase includes a 680-seat performance hall and music building projected to open in 2026.
• The third phase will be another museum building and a parking structure.

Pieces from the Crow Museum of Asian Art's collection will have a home at UT Dallas. Photo: Courtesy of Mauricio Rojas and UT Dallas

Fun fact: Peter O'Donnell was a key figure in UT Dallas' early history. He wanted the university to be seen as " the MIT of Texas " and lobbied for it to be able to offer four-year undergraduate degrees.

The intrigue: The Crow Museum says it's one of few entities in the U.S. — and the largest in the Southwest — solely dedicated to Asian art.

• The museum is named after Dallas residents Margaret and Trammell Crow , who wanted the public to view their collection for free.
• Dallas billionaire Harlan Crow is one of their children.

Zoom in: The new Crow Museum of Asian Art at UT Dallas includes pieces from the Dallas Museum of Art, the university's founding families and the university's Latin American art collection.

• Dallas photographer Carolyn Brown's work is also on display at the museum.

If you go: The museum is located at 777 Loop Road SW in Richardson. It's open 11am-5pm Tuesdays through Sundays.

• Admission is free.