The Business Council for the Arts just released the lineup for The 2016 Obelisk Awards that will be presented on Monday, November 7, at Belo Mansion. As part of the awards program, a new category has been added the list — Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader.
- Arts Partnership Award (Large) — Fossil Inc., nominated by Big Thought
- Arts Partnership Award (Medium) — Taxco Food Produce, nominated by The Mexico Institute
- Arts Partnership Award (Small) — Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms, nominated by Allen Art Alliance
- New Initiatives Award (Large) — Cash America, nominated by Junior Players
- New Initiatives Award Medium) — UMB Bank, nominated by The Dallas Opera
- New Initiatives Award (Small) — The Law Offices of Eric Cedillo, nominated by Cara Mia Theater
- Distinguished Nonprofit Arts Organization — Dallas Film Society, nominated by ABCO Inc.
- Outstanding Leadership Arts Alumnus Award — Zenetta Drew, nominated by Leadership Women
- Business Champion for the Arts — Darrell Rodenbaugh, nominated by Plano Children’s Theatre and North Texas Performing Arts
- Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader — Mark Roglán, nominated by Patricia Meadows
According to 2016 Obelisk Awards Luncheon Co-Chair Dotti Reeder, ““Now in its 28th year, The Obelisk Awards reflect a pantheon of businesses large and small that have made this region one of the nation’s most creatively vibrant.”
Another highlight of the luncheon will be the keynote speaker — Dallas Symphony Orchestra lead trumpet Ryan Anthony. Obelisk Awards Luncheon Co-Chair Kevin Hurst summed up the choice of speaker by saying, “At the very essence of BCA’s mission is the intersection of business and arts. I think Ryan’s story how he leveraged his professional passion with his personal passion will be most compelling.”
Follow the jump for a detailed description of the awardees.
Arts Partnership Award Category (Partnerships of more than 3 years)
- Large (More than 500 employees): Fossil Inc. (nominated by Big Thought) — With years of service to the Big Thought, Fossil continues to provide generous counsel, executive expertise, board service, financial support, project management, leadership resources, event and fund-raising support, strategic planning and branding expertise. It also serves as a corporate sponsor in its largest scope of work, in conjunction with the City of Dallas and Dallas Independent School District, for Dallas City Learning. As Big Thought’s strategic and brand experts, Fossil led the organization’s re-branding and message refresh pro-bono in 2015, creating a dynamic brand platform.
- Medium (50-500 employees): Taxco Food Produce (nominated by The Mexico Institute) — Since 1992, when the Mexico Institute began organizing Summer Arts Camps for children ages 6-12 at The Dallas Visual Arts Center and at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, Taxaco Food Produce has donated fresh and healthy vegetables and fruits to serve the children. In addition, they have supported this, and other numerous educational and cultural programs and performances, with cash donations as well. Mr. Alfredo Duarte and his wife Irma, personally and professionally are very generous to the community.
- Small (Less than 50 employees): Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms (nominated by The Allen Arts Alliance) — Watters Creek partners with the Allen Arts Alliance to bring arts to the community in many different ways. The Arts Alliance has been given use of an art space/gallery in Watters Creek to hold art exhibits, classes, and other art activities. Watters Creek is AAA’s prime partner in bringing the Allen Arts Festival every May by having the festival venue at Watters Creek and by helping market the event through their LED Board, posters and website. Additionally, Watters Creek partners with the Alliance by coordinating a number of free art activities for kids throughout the year.
New Initiatives Award Category (Partnerships of less than three years and new concepts)
- Large (More than 500 employees): Cash America (nominated by Junior Players) — In 2015, Junior Players created Junior Players Presents: Transformation Project that was performed at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater in August. The vision of this program centers on the Junior Players motto: “transforming kids’ lives through the arts” as the teen dancers came together to discuss some of the most challenging issues facing both themselves and their peers. CashAmerica has continued to serve as the Title Sponsor again this year. They strongly believe in The Junior Players mission to provide a non-violent alternative for students looking to deal with any personal issues facing them in their day-to-day lives.
- Medium (50 TO 500 employees): UMB Bank (nominated by The Dallas Opera) — For the last two seasons, UMB Bank has generously supported The Dallas Opera as sponsor of the Inner Circle, the Opera’s core group of donors. UMB’s sponsorship allows the Opera to offer unique benefits that assist in retaining current donors and attracting new ones. Jim LaFontaine serves on the Dallas Opera Board’s corporate committee, actively deepening corporate relationships.
- Small (Less than 50 employees): The Law Offices of Eric Cedillo (nominated by Cara Mia Theater) — Cara Mia’s The School of YES! is a series of residencies in the Dallas neighborhood schools of West Dallas and Oak Cliff as well as a summer program at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center that give young people the skills to say “yes” to a future of their choice. Eric Cedillo underwrites the entire cost of the stipend positions for the youth leaders, and is active in the application process. With their board president, Linda Cantu, he created a day of small lectures given by civic leaders of color for the youth leaders in the camp. Mr. Cedillo also underwrites a student night for CMTC productions that includes facilitated talk backs and study guides so the students have a chance to see and discuss a theatre production that represents alternate realities and diversity.
Distinguished Nonprofit Arts Organization
- Dallas Film Society (nominated by ABCO Inc.) — The Dallas Film Society continues to enhance the reputation of Dallas through the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF). DIFF is Dallas’ largest singular event dedicated to celebrating film. It has hosted more than 1,500 filmmakers in Dallas over the last 10 years, awarded more than $775,000 in prizes, screened 95 World Premiere movies and hosted acclaimed actors, s. In 2016 the DIFF showed 172 different films from 32 different countries with the assistance of 1200 volunteers. DIFF has both a High School Shorts Showcase as well as a College Shorts Showcase, and shines a spotlight each year on the Dallas Film Industry.
Outstanding Leadership Arts Alumnus Award honoring an alumnus of Leadership Arts Institute, a program of BCA
- Zenetta Drew (nominated by Leadership Women) — Zenetta Drew has been with Dallas Black Dance since 1987. She works with its 50 member Board of Directors and Artistic Director to formulate and implement the company’s vision and mission. During her tenure, the company’s annual performances have grown from 30 to over 600 and now consistently include national and international venues. Audiences have grown from 20,000 to over 150,000 persons annually and the company’s operating budget has increased from $175,000 to over $3.9 million. To date, the company has performed in 31 states, 14 countries and on 5 continents. Audiences have grown from 20,000 to over 150,000 persons annually and the company’s operating budget has increased from $175,000 to over $3.9 million. To date, the company has performed in 31 states, 14 countries and on 5 continents. Among her many civic commitments, she is an annual presenter for Leadership Arts Institute sharing expertise on board duties and responsibilities.
Business Champion For The Arts
- Darrell Rodenbaugh (nominated by Plano Children’s Theatre and North Texas Performing Arts) — Now serving in his fifth year as President of the Governing Board of Directors of the North Texas Performing Arts, Darrell has let the effort to move the organization from near-closure to its current state of growth and vitality. Under Darrell’s leadership, Plano Children’s Theater created the North Texas Performing Arts organization, representing the fastest growing theatre youth program in Texas Under this umbrella, two new sister-theatres in McKinney and Frisco were created and made sustainable. Currently, a fourth theater is underway in Dallas. Darrell’s leadership in creating the organizational structure, the management operations, and the vision statement for the theatre have allowed this organization to triple its theaters and audiences in the last five years, and provided arts education to some 4,000 students last year.
Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader
- Mark Roglán (nominated by Patricia Meadows) — Under Director Mark A. Roglán’s leadership, the Meadows Museum has increased its attendance; has developed a major program of international exhibitions; has created meaningful fellowships; produced insightful publications; constructed a new sculpture garden and outside spaces; made major acquisitions; formed new ways of educating and connecting with art for impaired people; as well as established strategic alliances with major museums, most importantly with the Museo Nacional del Prado. Though he has worked tirelessly since his arrival in Dallas, this is the year when Mark A. Roglán should be recognized for his extraordinary contributions as highlighted by the Museum’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.