TACA Arts Insider with Lucas Shelton
Arts Insider with Lucas Shelton
What advice would you offer to other business professionals who want to make a meaningful impact in the arts community?
What I know about myself is that I have a broad range of interests (including outside of the arts) as well as an appreciation for all art forms, and I suspect I am not alone in that space. When it comes to deciding where you want to dedicate your finite resources, whether that is your time, talent, or treasure, it’s important to try to focus your passion and efforts so that however you decide to support an organization is most impactful.
Is there a particular art form that you’re especially passionate about, and why does it resonate with you?

Each work of art seeks to communicate something to its consumer. Any art form (theater, dance, music, visual, etc.) that stimulates some type of emotional response is what I am most passionate about. This kind of art makes a personal connection with its audience, and has the ability to move, motivate, and inspire those individuals in a way that could result in some form of action. In that moment, that work of art becomes something larger than itself and has ripple effects across the community.
Do you have a favorite memory or experience from the arts in the past year that stands out to you?
Earlier this year there was a unique event hosted at NorthPark Center called Fleur de Villes ARTISTE. Arts organizations and talented florists within the community were invited to dress mannequins and produce scenes out of florals that represented the participating arts organizations. I felt this was a clever and visually stunning way to showcase our arts community in a public place. The pieces sparked a curiosity about what was currently happening with each of the organizations, and my husband and I were reminded about performances that we wanted to see that were highlighted in the event.
This stands out as a favorite memory, yes because it was a fun and visually stimulating experience, but also because it took an innovative approach to bringing awareness about what’s happening in the arts scene.
Why do you choose to support TACA?
It’s important to find a focus. Sometimes that can be hard when you appreciate so many art forms. Alternatively, you may know the art forms you favor most, but you want to have the confidence that your philanthropic contributions are supporting vetted organizations or new initiatives that will be able to make the most from any funds provided. That’s where I believe TACA plays an important role. If you simply can’t decide which organizations you want to support (but you know you want to support the arts), supporting TACA means that your contributions will have an impact across the broader arts community. If you don’t have the time or the knowledge of what exactly to research and compare across the organizations to have the confidence you’ve made the best decision, I feel that TACA can be trusted to facilitate that research and allocate my contributions in a way that helps our arts community thrive.
Lucas Shelton is an engaged supporter of the arts with a deep appreciation for all art forms, including theater, dance, music, and visual arts. He shares his perspective on why being a TACA donor has significant impact across the broader arts community.
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