Business Council For the Arts CEO Stacie Wheelock Adams has just revealed the 2024 recipients of the Obelisk Awards. Presented by Capital One on Thursday, November 14, at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District, the 2024 Obelisk Awards Luncheon will honor the following individuals and organizations:
- Visionary Non-profit Arts Leader – Samuel S. Holland, PhD. Dean of SMU Meadows School of the Arts nominated by SMU Board of Trustee Caren Prothro
- Business Champion For The Arts – Daniel Tobey, DLA Piper Partner nominated by AT&T Performing Arts Center President/CEO Warren Tranquada
- Distinguished Cultural Institution – Dallas Symphony Orchestra nominated by Dallas Symphony Association Board Of Governors Chair-Elect and Gault Company owner Roger Gault
- Arts Education – The Dallas Mavericks nominated by Dallas ISD Chief Of Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations Jon Dahlander
- Arts Partnership Large Category – Vari, nominated by City Of Coppell Mayor Wes Mays
- Arts Partnership Small Category – Daisha Board Gallery nominated by Litehouse Wellness Executive Director Sherri Doucette
- Outstanding Leadership Arts Alumnus – Haynes Boone LLP Partner and Board Member Purvi Patel Albers nominated by Haynes Boone LLP Partner Randy Colson
- New Arts Initiative – Meow Wolf Grapevine nominated by SPARK! Dallas Executive Meg Bittner
- Lifetime Achievement – Dallas Winds Founder/Executive Director Emeritus Kim Campbell nominated by Dallas Winds Board Of Trustees Chair/retired Haynes Boone LLP Partner Carrie Huff
According to Obelisk Award Chair Courtney Johnson, “Our Obelisk winners’ collective efforts represent decades of thoughtful work to protect Dallas’ legacy of cultural experiences while securing a bright future for the arts. It is a privilege to recognize their commitment to North Texas and the enduring impact their efforts will make on our community. On behalf of BCA’s board and our 2024 Obelisk Awards committee, congratulations and bravo!”
Sponsorships and and underwriting opportunities are available here.
For a full read of the announcement including a description of the recipients, follow the jump.
* Photo provided by Business Council For The Arts
Business Council for the Arts Reveals Winners of the 2024 Obelisk Awards Presented by Capital One
NORTH TEXAS (September 23, 2024)—Business Council for the Arts (BCA) today announced nine North Texas businesses, individuals, and arts organizations to be honored at the 36th annual Obelisk Awards presented by Capital One on Thursday, November 14, 11:00 AM—1:30 PM at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District.
Founded in 1988, Business Council for the Arts advocates for business support of arts and culture as well as arts-based employee engagement programs, including the Leadership Arts Institute, On My Own Time™ Art Competition, Art@Work, and their annual recognition event, the Obelisk Awards, which annually draws a sell-out crowd of business leaders and arts advocates to recognize extraordinary support of arts and culture in North Texas.
“This year’s group of Obelisk honorees exemplify the power of business leaders investing in the arts. Their time, talent, and resources make all the difference for the arts and culture organizations of North Texas. There’s no greater call than to ensure our creative community remains a vibrant force for inspiration and innovation while attracting more and more companies to our region,” said Stacie Adams, CEO of BCA.
This year’s event is chaired by Courtney Johnson, BCA Board Member and Chief of Staff Internal Experiences Lead for the Financial Services division of Capital One, alongside Honorary Chairs Sanjiv and Mohua Yajnik.
“Our Obelisk winners’ collective efforts represent decades of thoughtful work to protect Dallas’ legacy of cultural experiences while securing a bright future for the arts,” shared Courtney Johnson, “It is a privilege to recognize their commitment to North Texas and the enduring impact their efforts will make on our community. On behalf of BCA’s board and our 2024 Obelisk Awards committee, congratulations and bravo!”
The 2024 Business Council for the Arts Obelisk Awards Honorees include:
Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader – Samuel S. Holland, PhD. Dean of SMU Meadows School of the Arts, nominated by Caren Prothro, SMU Board of Trustees
Sam Holland is the Algur H. Meadows Dean and an award-winning professor of music at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. Since he joined SMU 33 years ago, serving as Dean since 2014, Meadows has received national acclaim for its innovative approach to arts education across all disciplines. A champion of the transformational power of arts and communication, Sam leads a team that is responsible for raising over $145M in new funding for the Meadows School and has launched groundbreaking programs like the Online Master’s in Creative Technology while forging impactful partnerships with major arts organizations, including bringing the National Center for Arts Research to SMU, now SMU DataArts, an initiative to advance high-quality data for arts organizations and advocates, nationwide, in making a sustainable impact within their communities.
Business Champion for the Arts – Daniel Tobey, Partner, DLA Piper nominated by Warren Tranquada, President & CEO, AT&T Performing Arts Center
Danny Tobey is a medical doctor, successful software founder, and global co-chair and chair of DLA Piper Americas AI & Data Analytics practice. Since 2015, he has significantly impacted the AT&T Performing Arts Center as a board member and the organization’s board chair since 2020. His steadfast leadership, strategic foresight, and dedication to the arts is credited with helping secure AT&T PAC’s future as well as the arts and culture ecosystem the Center supports. He led the organization through the COVID pandemic, capital improvements, and partnerships with some of the region’s most iconic performing arts groups. Born in Dallas, Danny is a graduate of Harvard College, Yale Law School, and UT Southwestern Medical School and is a 2012 Business Council for the Arts Leadership Arts graduate.
Distinguished Cultural Institution – Dallas Symphony Orchestra nominated by Roger Gault, Owner, Gault Company and Dallas Symphony Association Board of Governors Chair-Elect
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is a beacon of cultural excellence and will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2025. Led by renowned conductor Fabio Luisi, the DSO embarked on its first international tour in more than a decade, performing 11 concerts in 10 cities, solidifying Dallas’ reputation as a global symphony powerhouse. Locally, the DSO hosts more than 300,000 visitors annually, a number set to grow with the launch of the Jean R. Johnson Education Center. This innovative new center for students, designed in partnership with the Opera of the Future group at the MIT Media Lab, will welcome thousands of children utilizing cutting-edge technology. 2024 also marks five successful years of the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians Program, which sets the bar for music education in underserved communities and underscores the DSO’s commitment to musician instruction and inspiring the next generation of artists.
Arts Education – The Dallas Mavericks nominated by Jon Dahlander, Chief of Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations, Dallas ISD
The Dallas Mavericks have made a deep impact on arts education as part of their broader mission to positively impact North Texas. A shining example is the Mavericks’ Black History Month Art Competition. At a time when high school students often face challenges in staying engaged with the arts, the Mavericks use their powerful brand to inspire creativity and passion. The Mavericks also engage with students through visits to the Dallas African American Museum, support the Black Academy of Arts and Letters’ Summer Arts Institute and productions, renovated a podcast studio for the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation, and are counted as one of Dallas ISD’s most dedicated and impactful partners, consistently going above and beyond to leverage their influence for the greater good of the North Texas community.
Arts Partnership Large Category – Vari, nominated by Wes Mays, Mayor, City of Coppell
Since Vari sold its first VariDesk in 2013, the company has been committed to making a positive impact in its hometown of Coppell. The Coppell Arts Center was under construction when it first entered into a collaborative partnership in 2019. Vari’s state-of-the-art, adaptable workspaces, furniture, and fixtures were provided in-kind to help complete the new Center, including fully outfitting the Studio Classroom to ensure that the Center could focus and host educational arts programs for the community, which significantly aided the Center’s budget. Over the past five years, Vari’s support has been critical to establishing the Center’s reputation and patron support. Vari CEO Jason McCann’s steadfast endorsement of the Center’s ability to bring Coppell residents performance excellence in a world-class facility exemplifies how corporate support can profoundly benefit community-based arts organizations.
Arts Partnership Small Category- Daisha Board Gallery nominated by Sherri Doucette, Executive Director, Litehouse Wellness
The Daisha Board Gallery has significantly impacted Litehouse Wellness by offering invaluable counsel and physical space to help expand the organization’s unique goal of normalizing and funding wellness for the Black community. As Daisha believes, “to see oneself reflected in fine art is a powerful act.” Her bold aspiration and commitment to BIPOC, LGBTQ, and disabled artists inspired our organization to launch wellness and art collaborations specifically for Black men to find community and connection while removing the stigmas around wellness and the arts as unapproachable in the minority community. In addition to Daisha Board Gallery’s support of Litehouse Wellness, Daisha Board personally volunteers her time and expertise to mentor local artists and provide volunteer services, including career resources and supporting educational events, to support local arts nonprofits across North Texas.
Outstanding Leadership Arts Alumnus – Purvi Patel Albers, Partner and Board Member, Haynes Boone nominated by Randy Colson, Partner, Haynes Boone
Purvi Patel Albers is a distinguished leader in North Texas’s arts and culture sector, recognized for her significant contributions and outstanding leadership. An alumna of BCA’s Leadership Arts Class of 2008, Purvi has embodied the program’s mission to cultivate arts leadership. Her impactful service on prestigious boards, including the National Symphony Orchestra, The Arts Community Alliance (TACA), and the Dallas Theater Center, highlights her commitment to advancing the cultural landscape. In her professional capacity, Purvi is a highly respected intellectual property attorney, celebrated by Chambers USA and World Trademark Review for her expertise in trademark law and strategic insight. Her roles as a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitrator and her ongoing support for BCA initiatives further reflect her dedication to both legal and cultural excellence.
New Arts Initiative – Meow Wolf Grapevine nominated by Meg Bittner, Executive Director, SPARK! Dallas
Meow Wolf Grapevine’s partnership with SPARK! Dallas has significantly enhanced the organization’s arts programming. In 2023, Meow Wolf supported SPARK! in creating “PRISMATIC,” an immersive art exhibit developed by local high school students. This collaboration resulted in a highly engaging pop-up experience featuring six creatively themed rooms designed by students from various Dallas-area schools. Meow Wolf, known for its groundbreaking immersive art experiences, not only provided financial backing but also offered valuable mentorship, technical support, and exposure through its extensive network. As the presenting sponsor for SPARK!’s 2024 Prismatic exhibition, Meow Wolf continues to inspire creativity and support arts education, reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation and artistic exploration in the community. Meow Wolf Grapevine’s commitment to North Texas arts and culture extends beyond SPARK!, supporting diverse arts initiatives across the region, including BCA’s Art Boost, Cara Mia Theater and Dallas Art Therapy.
Lifetime Achievement – Kim Campbell, Founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the Dallas Winds, nominated by Carrie Huff, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Winds/retired partner at Haynes and Boone LLP
Kim Campbell has profoundly shaped the Dallas arts community throughout his remarkable 39-year leadership of the Dallas Winds. His “Have Fun, Make Friends, Be Amazed” motto inspired everything he sought to accomplish with the Dallas Winds. After founding the ensemble in 1985, he shaped the organization into one of the nation’s leading professional wind bands. Today, the Dallas Winds has achieved global recognition, with 22 critically acclaimed albums in current worldwide release, five of them having received Grammy Award nominations. The band has presented more than 500 unique concerts and developed impactful youth education programs, including the annual Strike Up the Band concerts for Dallas ISD 5th graders and the largest inner-city band camp in the U.S. Most notably, upon his retirement in April 2024, Kim was lauded for the successful leadership transition to Michelle Hall, a testament to his careful planning and dedication, to ensure that the Dallas Winds continues to shine for decades to come.
2024 Obelisk Awards Sponsorships and Underwriting — Sponsorships and underwriting opportunities provide unique ways for businesses, organizations, and individuals to recognize the Obelisk Award winners’ accomplishments and gain valuable brand recognition among the event’s attendees.
Sponsorship and underwriting packages can be found at https://ntbca.org/obelisk-awards2024 and have been refreshed with additional benefits for 2024, including enhanced marketing recognition, outdoor billboard placement, an experiential VIP Art Experience, complimentary valet parking for all attendees, and invitations to the exclusive Obelisk Awards Patron Party on October 17th.
2024 Obelisk Awards sponsors to date include:
- Presenting Sponsor – Capital One
- Connoisseur Sponsors – Oncor and Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger
- Collector Sponsor – Neiman Marcus Group and NorthPark Center
- Patron Party Sponsor – Bernbaum Magadini Architects
- Hospitality Sponsors — JW Marriott Dallas Arts District and Encore
- Aficionado Sponsors — Dallas Winds, Frost Bank, Hall Group, Haynes Boone LLP and University of Texas at Dallas Harry W. Bass School of the Arts
- Catalyst Sponsors — Baker Botts LLP, Beck Group, BGSF, Bourland Octave Management LLC, Connective Agency, Corgan, Fisher And Phillips LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, Harwood International, Holland And Knight Foundation, Jackson Walker LLP, Jones Day, Lennox, McGrath Family Charitable Fund, Meow Wolf Grapevine, Northern Trust, Parkland Health, Simmons Bank, SMU Meadows School of the Arts, The University of North Texas, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Vinson And Elkins LLP, Wells Fargo Advisors, Amanda Mahaney, Cathryn McClellan, Fern Johnson and Kathleen J. Wu
Underwriting support provided by:
- Outdoor Sponsor – Albert Outdoor Advertising
- Graphics and Event Sponsor – Capital One
- Awards Sponsor – The Craig and Kathryn Hall Foundation
- Media Sponsor – Patron Magazine
- Photography and Video Sponsor – JerSean Golatt
Each honoree of the 2024 Obelisk Award receives an original and one-of-a-kind artwork in glass created by Dallas artist Simon Waranch.
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