At Wednesday’s TACA Silver Cup Luncheon at the Omni Dallas Hotel, the plan was to honor 2025 Silver Cup recipients Gayle Halperin and Jim Nugent. While it was a glorious honor, the spotlight shifted to the announcement that The Eugene And Margaret McDermott was gifting an “historic $500K gift” to TACA.
The “largest single-year gift” to TACA in its 57-year history, it “will support the implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing TACA’s resilience and organizational infrastructure.”
In making the gift, Foundation Trustee/ McDermott granddaughter Grace Cook said, “My grandparents, Margaret and Eugene McDermott, believed that building a stronger Dallas wasn’t just an act of generosity — it was a responsibility. Supporting TACA honors that legacy and affirms our belief that creativity is one of Dallas’ greatest natural resources. This gift is an invitation to everyone who believes in the future of this city — to invest in the artists, organizations and ideas that will shape the Dallas we haven’t even yet imagined.”
Originally dedicated to the performing arts, TACA expanded its reach to include the visual arts.
As Donna Wilhelm Family President/Executive Director Of TACA Maura Sheffler said, “This donation is not only a historic moment for our organization, but a long-term investment in the sustainability and growth of TACA and our support of the arts in Dallas. It is a true testament of the generosity and dedication to our arts community.”
* Photo credit: Nate Rehlander