Leadership Arts Institute Class Projects 2012 – 2022

Each Leadership Arts class plans and executes a project during their nine-month program. This project enables participants to practice leadership skills learned in class, gain leadership experience through service on a simulated board, learn about the community, and create a legacy that impacts North Texas.

Recent Projects

2022 (Dallas County, Collin/Denton Counties) — Arts and Economic Prosperity Study 6

The classes, in partnership with Americans for the Arts, assisted in the cultivation of data from arts and culture organizations and their audiences for the AEP 6 study, with the goal of proving that North Texas’ arts and cultural assets makes DFW a rich, diverse, innovative place to live, relocate or visit.

2021 (Dallas County) — The Art of Discovery

A project at the intersection of nature and art. Selected art expressions by local artists and chosen by local galleries, were sold through an auction with proceeds and donations going towards the restoration of greenhouses at Texas Discovery Gardens. This effort will preserve endangered species of plants unique to our region to bolster healthy native biodiversity that supports the health of people in our community.

2021 (Collin/Denton Counties) — Memorial Celebration for My Possibilities

A two-part project to help My Possibilities honor the HIPsters (Hugely Important People) who are no longer with us and showcase the talents of those currently in the program. A memorial tree sculpture was commissioned with leaves commemorating the individuals lost. An unveiling celebration was held with performances by artistic residencies that partnered HIPsters with local artists in the mediums of visual art, spoken word poetry, and song.

2020 (Dallas County) — Fundraising and artful physical improvements to living facilities for homeless DISD high school students at the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center near Fair Park

This class raised more than $30,000 to install a podcast studio and related programming for residents’ self-expression, an art corner for personal art projects, and inspiring display art to enliven the Harris Youth Center’s space.

2020 (Collin/Denton Counties) — Fundraising and engagement of Frisco artist Zahra Jahanyfard to create a 150-square-foot mural for the Frisco Discovery Center’s broad multicultural audience

In partnership with the City of Frisco and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, this LAI class raised $4,000 in funding for this public art project featuring the sun and moon for light and darkness, the Earth, birds and other elements of nature.

2019 (Dallas County) — Café Momentum underground service center art installation

Café Momentum, a unique Dallas restaurant and culinary training program, engages homeless teens in a 12-month paid internship that teaches life skills by providing education and employment opportunities. The LAI Dallas class raised funds to provide an art installation that employs diurnal (day to evening) lighting and nature elements to create a comfortable living environment for the program’s young participants.

2019 (Collin/Denton Counties) — “Playing the Board Game”: A learning opportunity for arts and culture board leaders and their teams

The LAI class created a program for leadership development offered to 30 area nonprofits to develop their skills as effective board members through presentations by distinguished guest speakers.

2018 (Dallas County) — The Art of Healing: Supporting Parkland’s Comprehensive Breast Center

The class raised over $25,000 to support the acquisition of evidence-based art that will create a healing environment at the new breast health center at Parkland Hospital. The class proudly followed in the footsteps of the 2012 class, who were first to partner with Parkland Foundation for art in the new Parkland Memorial Hospital, when it opened its doors in 2015.  

2018 (Collin/Denton Counties) — My Possibilities: Funding and creation of a 20-foot mural for new facilities

This LAI class raised funds and worked with a lead artist to support creation of a mural at this nonprofit learning center serving adults with cognitive disabilities. The project gave students an opportunity to learn new vocational skills and make a visible addition to their portfolios. Additionally, the resulting mural visibly enriched the environment of the new facility while serving as a legacy reminder of students’ talent.

2017 (Dallas County) — Dallas Arts and Culture Board Fair

LAI members designed a program to introduce diverse, qualified and engaged business leaders to nonprofit organizations seeking to expand their boards. Participants included arts and cultural nonprofits that receive funding from the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. Business professionals interested in serving on local arts organization boards attended to learn how to serve the community, advance the arts and take a leadership position in the North Texas community.

2017 (Collin/Denton Counties) — Public ArtWalk Richardson

This event was mapped on a 2.8-mile walk that had flexible start and stop points. Along the trail, walkers discovered public art by notable Texas artists. Green spaces and parks included Spring Creek Trail and Galatyn Woodland Preserve. The Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts anchored the south end of the walk, with shops and restaurants at City Line providing the north boundary.

2016 (Dallas) — Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 5

Produced by Americans for the Arts, this study was designed to measure the economic impact of arts and culture across the nation.  The Dallas LAI Class worked to increase awareness of and participation in the North Texas region by administering surveys at arts events and educating arts organizations about the importance of the national study.

2016 (Collin/Denton Counties) — Biz/Arts Mixer

The inaugural LAI class in Collin and Denton Counties organized a business/arts mixer at Mercedes Benz of Plano to raise awareness about business support for the arts in North Texas. The happy hour event featured dancers and other performers, refreshments, swag bags, and a presentation by the Plano mayor.

2015 (Dallas) — Discover Arts

Discover Arts is the only resource that geographically pinpoints North Texas cultural assets. The map connects local businesses with the arts in their areas and helps draw prospective new residents, visitors and businesses to this vibrant arts and cultural region.

2014 (Dallas) — Fifth Anniversary ARTsPARK

To attract more public attention to the arts, the Class of 2014 chose to help commemorate the fifth anniversary of ARTsPARK, an annual event sponsored by NorthPark Center and Business Council for the Arts. The expanded two-day celebration of the arts in North Texas began with ARTsPARK After Dark on a Friday night, followed by a free, family-friendly ARTsPARK event on Saturday.

2013 (Dallas) — Chair Art in the Park

Chair Art in the Park was a youth art competition and auction benefiting the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC). Middle and high school students created art objects from chairs, which were displayed and auctioned at Klyde Warren Park. Funds raised were dedicated to supporting therapies for abused children, including art and music therapies at DCAC.

2012 (Dallas) — Parkland pARTners: Advancing Healing Through Art

The Class of 2012 raised $50,000 to cover acquisition of artwork for patient rooms in a wing of the new Parkland Hospital.  This was the first donation to the Parkland Foundation allocated to the acquisition of evidence-based artwork, which has been proven to expedite the healing process.