The Arts Community Alliance (TACA) announced on Tuesday that it will distribute $650,000 in Catalyst Grants in 2025 to support 50 arts organizations throughout Dallas County.
These Catalyst Grants differ from project-specific grants, as they offer unrestricted funding to nonprofit arts organizations following a thorough assessment process.
Over a span of 10 months, volunteer members of TACA meticulously evaluate each organization, determining the funding amount based on their success in public programming and performances.
Maura Sheffler, the Donna Wilhelm Family president and executive director of TACA, expressed pride in awarding these grants annually, highlighting their significance to the arts community.
“We know they provide very important funding to the arts community,” said Sheffler.
This announcement follows recent developments in which the National Endowment for the Arts withdrew grants from cultural institutions across the nation, which resulted in 13 North Texas groups losing over $345,000.
Among the Catalyst Grant recipients impacted by these cuts are notable organizations such as Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Kitchen Dog Theater Company, and Teatro Dallas.
Although the Catalyst Grant recipients were selected prior to the NEA funding cuts, Sheffler stated that TACA is actively engaging with the organizations it supports to explore ways to bolster their resources.
“This is definitely a very important year to support the arts and cultural community,” she emphasized.
TACA aims to leverage its available resources to provide the best support possible to these organizations.
In addition to the Catalyst Grants, TACA also enhances support for local artists and organizations through the TACA New Works Fund, which prioritizes funding for arts initiatives in underrepresented communities.
Furthermore, TACA offers Pop-Up Grants, which distribute sums of up to $7,500 to various artists every other month.
Additionally, TACA provides professional development resources tailored for the arts sector, including programs such as the Arts Accelerator and the Amplifier Workshops.
Sheffler encouraged broader community engagement, stating, “The more people that support the arts, the more sustainable we will be able to be as a sector.”
The organizations selected as TACA’s 2025 Catalyst Grant recipients encompass a wide range of arts disciplines, showcasing the vibrant cultural landscape of Dallas.
The list of recipients includes prominent entities such as Arts Mission Oak Cliff, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Avant Chamber Ballet, and Broadway Dallas, among others.
Additionally, arts organizations like the Dallas Chamber Symphony, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra are also among those set to benefit from TACA’s support.
Other notable recipients include Kitchen Dog Theater Company, Nasher Sculpture Center, Texas Ballet Theater, and Teatro Dallas, reflecting the diversity and richness of the Dallas arts scene.
This year’s funding represents TACA’s continued dedication to fostering a robust arts community, ensuring that these organizations can thrive even in challenging times.
With the 2025 Catalyst Grants, there is hope for continued growth and sustainability of the arts in Dallas.
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