In March 2006, McKinney, known as “Unique in Nature,” became "Unique in Culture" with the grand opening of McKinney Performing Arts Center at the Historic Collin County Courthouse. 

As the county seat, McKinney is home to a 130-year-old courthouse located in the heart of its historic downtown. After several years of painstaking rehabilitation, during which every aspect of the project was overseen and approved by the Texas Historical Commission, McKinney Performing Arts Center revealed itself as a cleverly configured performance space and meeting facility to serve the arts, corporations and community at large.

Since opening, MPAC has welcomed an extensive array of local artists as well as legendary performers. Community-based organizations like McKinney Repertory Theatre entertain with classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The “MPAC Presents” series helps complement local programming through performances of national and international artists like violinist Eileen Ivers, a cappella sensations Rockapella and touring productions of Beehive, the 60’s Musical and The Great American Trailer Park Musical.

Funding from McKinney Arts Commission brings a wide spectrum of both performing and visual arts to MPAC, including the Art Club of McKinney’s annual Collin County Adult Art Show featuring more than 75 artists from the area. The North Texas Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society is another McKinney Arts Commission recipient that regularly performs at MPAC on the vintage Wurlitzer pipe organ for the Silent Film Concert Series that includes the annual classic The Phantom of the Opera.

MPAC also exists as a resource to local artistic organizations and community groups through the services of MPAC’s Emerson ticket office.

Another function of MPAC is to serve in the development of young artists. Each week, young people from all over North Texas meet for classes offered by Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra and Chamberlain Performing Arts. Young performers from McKinney Youth Theatre regularly rehearse at MPAC for productions like The Princess Bride and Once Upon This Island.

As the jewel of the historic square, MPAC also participates in the activities sponsored by McKinney Main Street. Each year during Dickens of a Christmas, MPAC is transformed into a holiday wonderland with “Festival of Trees, A Benefit for Project Graduation.” Thousands of visitors enjoy exquisitely decorated trees and wreaths, and all the proceeds from the event go to Project Graduation, an organization that provides a drug- and alcohol-free event for graduating McKinney ISD seniors. During “Festival of Trees,” guests can also experience McKinney Repertory Theatre’s timeless Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Place, MPAC is able to stay true to its historic roots as a courthouse. In April, the staging in the Courtroom Theater was removed for an evening of “Night Court” with Justice of the Peace Judge Raleeh. MPAC’s distinct combination of historic ambience and modern convenience designate the facility as a highly sought location for wedding receptions, parties and meetings.

The 23,000-square-foot facility has spaces designed to accommodate artists, performers and musicians.

Whether it's dance, art, live music or theater, MPAC offers a diverse range of entertainment possibilities that appeal to audiences of all ages.