The Moody Fund for the Arts (MFA) has granted a total of $425,000 to 66 arts organizations in Dallas for the current funding cycle. These grants, ranging from $3,500 to $12,000, are aimed at supporting a diverse range of small and emerging arts organizations that play a pivotal role in enriching the cultural landscape of the city.
Established in 2017 by the Moody Foundation, the MFA has provided vital financial support to 106 organizations since its inception, totaling approximately $2.825 million through 428 unique grants. This year’s funding cycle marks the eighth year of the MFA’s grantmaking, underscoring its commitment to bolster Dallas’ artistic community.
“For small arts groups, finding financial support is hard, especially in those early years,” remarked Moody Foundation Chairman Francie Moody-Dahlberg. “These grants help support their programs, their operations, and their vision so they can continue their impactful work and contribute to the vibrant cultural tapestry across the city.”
The grants were awarded based on a competitive application process, where eligible organizations must meet certain criteria. Recipients are required to be based in Dallas, maintain budgets under $1 million, and receive support from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
The MFA provides flexible grants within five specific categories. This year’s grants include 41 for General Program and Operating Cost Support, 11 for New Works, Commissions, and Unique Presentations, 6 for Community Focus Performances/Artist-in-Residency Programs, another 6 for Cultural Equity and New Initiatives, and 2 aimed at Capacity Building.
Martine Elyse Phillipe, the Director of the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and a member of the MFA Executive Review Committee, explained the significance of these grants. “The Moody Fund for the Arts continues to help small arts organizations make great strides in their programmatic and organizational growth,” she said. “The arts run deep in Dallas, and we’re thrilled to see so many organizations receive this critical support that will help the city’s investments go even further.”
The recipient list for this year’s funding cycle features a broad range of artistic disciplines, including theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film, and multimedia. Organizations such as 2 Inspired Peace, A.rt Experience, and the Asian Film Festival of Dallas are among those receiving grants.
The Moody Fund for the Arts is administered by the AT&T Performing Arts Center, which oversees both the application and review processes. The decision-making unfolds through a two-tier review process. The first level involves a peer-review judging panel, known as the MFA Advisory Review Panel, followed by the MFA Executive Review Committee.
The 2025 MFA Advisory Review Panel includes members such as Sylvia Bodell, President of Bodell Communications, Glyne A. Griffith II, Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and others with substantial experience in the arts sector. The Executive Review Committee consists of individuals like Stephen Gilhooly, an advocate and business lawyer, and Tracey Nash-Huntley, a philanthropist and arts patron.
Founded with a $10 million endowment by the Moody Foundation, the goal of the MFA is to enhance engagement with the arts throughout the Dallas community. The foundation has been instrumental in sustaining the mission of the Moody Performance Hall, located in the Dallas Arts District, which serves as a stage for smaller arts groups.
Over the years, grant amounts and distribution have evolved. The initial grants awarded in 2018 totaled $150,000 for 36 organizations, with a maximum grant of $7,500. As the fund matured, so did its contributions, peaking at a maximum grant of $12,000 for recipients in the current cycle, maintaining a commitment to supporting a wide array of opportunities such as new works, cultural equity initiatives, and general operating support.
The Moody Foundation’s commitment to arts and culture in Texas is long-standing. Since its founding in 1942 by William L. Moody Jr. and his wife, Libbie Rice Shearn Moody, the foundation has distributed over $1.5 billion to various organizations focused on enhancing education, health, and cultural enrichment throughout Texas.
In summary, the ongoing efforts and financial support of the Moody Fund for the Arts is a significant boon for Dallas’ arts organizations. By providing crucial funding to small and mid-sized groups, the MFA plays an essential role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of artists and cultural contributors.
For more detailed information about the Moody Fund for the Arts and its funding opportunities, please visit: www.moodyartsfund.org.
image source from：dallasweekly
