Frisco City Council members approved a $298,400 contract with the Frisco Arts Foundation during council’s Aug. 15 meeting.
The money is taken from Frisco’s hotel occupancy tax and then given to its performing arts organizations, such as Melody of Hope and the Frisco Chorale, which celebrated its 30th anniversary during the Aug. 15 meeting.
“Make no mistake,” Council Member Tammy Meinershagen said. “Frisco supports the arts.”
The impact
Frisco council members have approved a new contract with the foundation every year since the grants program was established in 2004, according to meeting documents.
This newest contract is the largest in its 19-year lifespan, according to a meeting presentation.
“This is indeed a historic occasion with the greatest level of funding ever committed to arts in Frisco,” foundation Chair Karen White said.
The foundation will use the additional funding to bring a “renaissance era” to the city, White said.
“This funding allows us to broaden our vision to cast a wider net and to bring more innovative arts to Frisco and deepen the arts impact within our community,” she said.
What they’re saying
The foundation would not be as successful without council’s support, White said.
“We are extremely grateful to council and our Arts champion, Councilwoman Meinershagen, for approving a new contract at $298,400, which is $1.25 per capita,” she said.
The program itself was almost eliminated in 2020 due to the pandemic, Meinershagen said.
“What an amazing journey this arts grant fund has gone through,” Meinershagen said. “To talk about going from $50,000 [in 2004] to $175,000 [in 2018] to almost being eliminated, and here we are. Today is a historic day for the arts.”
Get involved
Applications for the grants are still open, White said.
- Aug. 1-31: application process open
- Sept. 30: grantees notified
- Oct. 31: funds dispersed
