The district is 118 acres (0.47 km2) large and is home to some of Dallas’ most significant cultural landmarks including facilities for visual, performing, and developing arts.

[citation needed] The Arts District is home to 18 facilities and organizations including The Annette Strauss Square, the Arts District Mansion/Dallas Bar Association, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Theater Center, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Nasher Sculpture Center, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Fellowship Church, First United Methodist Church, Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House, Dee and Charles Wyly Theater, Moody Performance Hall, the Green Family Art Foundation, and the Crow Museum of Asian Art, housed in a portion of the Trammell Crow Center.

This includes everything from concerts to outdoor festivals, to lectures, youth education programs, and more.

Residents of the Arts District north and east of Akard Street are zoned to Sam Houston Elementary School.

Residents south and west of Akard are zoned to Hope Medrano Elementary School.