It was back in 1988 that NorthPark Founder/art-loving philanthropist Raymond Nasher agreed with other city leaders that “Dallas would have the best opportunity for becoming a prominent business city with parallel growth in the North Texas region’s cultural community.”
In fact, he was so committed to the idea that he created the Business Committee for the Arts using David Rockefeller‘s model developed in 1967. The idea was to intertwine cultural organizations with the business community.
While it may have seemed like a risky bet with the oil and real estate industries cratering, Ray and BCA’s Director/CEO Pat Porter put their creative brain caps on. One example was when they arranged to have landlords of downtown buildings that were partially filled provide office space for nonprofits in return for exhibitions and performances in their storefront windows to the delight of office workers.
Though the name changed to Business Council for the Arts, Ray’s idea has continued thanks to his daughter Nancy Nasher and her husband David Haemisegger and BCA’s President/CEO Katherine Wagner, who succeeded Pat in 2009.
Today BCA has such programs as Art at Work, Arts and Health, Arts And Belonging, Leadership Arts Institute and On My Own Time as well its partnership with Americans for the Arts.
To kick off BCA’s 35th anniversary year, the 2022 Obelisk Awards Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, November 15.
Chairing the event will be InterBank Senior VP of Community Development Banking Pamela Zeigler-Petty along with Honorary Co-Chairs Nancy and David and community leaders/longtime BCA supporters Patricia Villareal and Tom Leatherbury.
In preparation for the fundraising event, nominations are now being accepted in the following categories:
Obelisk Award Categories For Businesses
- Arts Partnership — This award recognizes businesses that have supported one or more arts/culture organization(s) for a minimum of three years to the present. This award annually recognizes one small and one large business.
- New Initiatives — This award recognizes businesses for engagement with the arts/culture in a significant program created within the past three years. This award annually recognizes one small and one large business.
- Arts Education — This award recognizes one business annually for their support of arts education programs in North Texas.
Obelisk Award Categories For Individuals
- Business Champion For the Arts — This award annually recognizes a single business leader for their long-term commitment to the arts/culture.
- Outstanding Leadership Arts Alumnus — This award annually recognizes one graduate of the Leadership Arts Institute for their board leadership and commitment to arts/culture.
- Visionary Non-Profit Arts Leader — This award recognizes a single nonprofit arts leader who has consistently demonstrated vision and impact throughout their tenure.
Obelisk Award Category For Non-Profit Organization
- Distinguished Cultural Organization — This award is a call for businesses to nominate an arts/culture organization for distinguished service to the North Texas community and operational excellence.
The awardees will be honored at the luncheon taking place at the Fairmont Dallas.
Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. A single organization may make multiple nominations and it’s absolutely free. You can submit them either online or by mailing to Obelisk 2022 Co-Chairs, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Suite 2131, Dallas 75225.
* Graphic/photo provided by Business Council for the Arts