TACA Distributes $700,000
to 41 Local Arts Organizations January 23, 2018

Media Contact: Maura Sheffler, maura.sheffler@taca-arts.org, 215.520.3830

DALLAS — January 23, 2018 — TACA (The Arts Community Alliance) announced last night that 41 North Texas arts organizations – representing theater, music, dance and youth performing arts – will share in its 2018 General Operations & Project Grants distribution of $700,000. Grant amounts ranged from $50,000 to $5,000. Representatives of each grant recipient, as well as local arts managers, patrons and volunteers attended the event sponsored by the Louis L. Borick Foundation in the lobby of One Arts Plaza.

In addition to the general operating grants, in the fall TACA also will award $200,000 in New Works grants, which is double the annual distribution over the last 6 years, as well as $50,000 in Artist Residency grants. The TACA New Works Fund supports the creation and performance of new works in Dallas County, while the TACA Artist Residency Fund supports the development of local performing arts residency programs.

“TACA is pleased to make our annual operating grants to 41 deserving organizations who contribute to a thriving and diverse arts community in North Texas,” said Wolford McCue, the TACA Carlson President and Executive Director. “For this year’s grants cycle, 70 arts organizations – a milestone for us – submitted a letter of interest. Tonight, we celebrate the
importance of our grants recipients and their collective impact on the vibrancy of our city and region.”

For the 2018 granting cycle, TACA instituted a deeper strategic granting process based on more detailed evaluative criteria. Fifty volunteers spent an unprecedented 3,000 hours observing performances by 57 grant applicants, and evaluating each on:

• Artistic excellence
• Innovation and originality
• Support of local artists and local creation
• Engagement and access to all Dallas County residents
• Financial and administrative stewardship

“Through contributions of our board members and community volunteers, TACA spends significant time and resources to evaluate each applicant’s performance,” McCue added. “Observing the artistry of each performance and the audience’s engagement is an integral part of our decision-making, and I’m proud that we’re able to devote the attention to this important aspect of our vetting.”

A list of the 41 2018 grant recipients may be found here.

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 vibrant 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.