More than $450,000 Distributed to Date to Provide Short-term Relief Due to COVID-19 Impact
Media Contact: Brett Gray, Brett@BrettGrayPR.com, 214.557.6233
DALLAS – TACA – The Arts Community Alliance – today announced it has distributed $148,500 in the second cycle of grants from the TACA Emergency Arts Relief Fund. The special fund was established in late March to provide short-term immediate relief to Dallas County nonprofit arts organizations in the wake of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. A full list of grantees for both funding cycles may be accessed on the TACA website at https://taca-arts.org/emergency-arts-relief-fund/.
Grant recipients for both distribution cycles were chosen by a committee of board members, donors and community arts leaders, including:
Kymberlaine Banks – Business Engagement Officer, Communities Foundation of Texas
Matrice Ellis-Kirk – Managing Director, RSR Partners
Tara Lewis – Chair, TACA Board of Directors
Carol March – TACA Board of Directors
Jim Nugent – Vice Chair, Grants, TACA Board of Directors
Andy Smith – Executive Director, Texas Instruments Foundation
“When we conceived the TACA Emergency Arts Relief Fund, we never dreamed the community would respond so generously,” said Terry D. Loftis, Carlson President and Executive Director of TACA. “Our original goal was to raise $150,000, and to date, we’ve generated $605,800 thanks to institutional foundations, family foundations and individuals who share our passion for supporting the vitality of the arts during this critical time. We know the arts community will need critical support in the coming months, so we are reserving the balance of funds as we identify ways TACA can provide assistance.”
Donors to the Fund to date include:
| Eugene McDermott Foundation | $100,000 |
| Donna Wilhelm Family Fund | $100,000 |
| TI Foundation | $100,000 |
| Katherine C. Carmody Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. | $53,000 |
| Hoblitzelle Foundation | $50,000 |
| Perot Foundation | $50,000 |
| Communities Foundation of Texas | $50,000 |
| March Family Foundation | $25,000 |
| Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust | $25,000 |
| Melinda and Jim Johnson | $25,000 |
| Embrey Family Foundation | $25,000 |
| Jaggers Family Fund | $2,500 |
| Carlene Peal-Sconce | $200 |
| Amy Walton | $100 |
“When we learned COVID-19 was upon us, our team worked swiftly to establish a responsive, need-based fund to support the local arts sector,” added TACA’s Deputy Director of Programs and Marketing Maura Sheffler. “For TACA, establishing a special fund was a departure from our 50-year history of merit-based grantmaking, but of critical importance during this unprecedented crisis. We’ll continue to support the arts community as we navigate the months ahead of us.”
About TACA
TACA – The Arts Community Alliance – supports excellence and impact in the arts through grant-making, capacity building, and thought leadership. TACA envisions an innovative, inclusive, sustainable cultural sector recognized for its essential contribution to a vibrant, prosperous community. Since its founding in 1967, TACA has worked to establish North Texas’ cultural community as one of the strongest in the nation. TACA’s growing investment in the arts translates to new premieres and productions, impactful residencies and community initiatives, and more opportunities for artists and audiences to connect – all striving to make Dallas a dynamic city and a great place to live and work.
For more information about TACA, call 214-520-3930 or visit taca-arts.org. Connect with TACA on Facebook at facebook.com/tacadallas, Twitter at @TACADallas or on Instagram at @TACADallas.
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