TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION AWARDS $600,000 GRANT TO DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATRE
Investment to Sustain Organizational Infrastructure and Support Leadership Transition at One of the Nation's Largest Black Dance Companies
DALLAS – Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) is pleased to announce it has received a $600,000 general operations grant from the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation, furthering TI’s long-standing commitment to strengthening the quality of life in the Dallas community.
"We are honored and appreciative to be recognized by the Texas Instruments Foundation for our contribution in the Dallas Arts District and surrounding communities," said Jack Skinner, DBDT Board Chairman and President. “This grant will support the implementation of our strategic leadership plan, positioning DBDT for continued success over the next 50 years.”
This investment will directly support DBDT's organizational infrastructure during a pivotal moment in the company's history, helping to shepherd the organization into its next chapter as it navigates a significant leadership transition and prepares for the exciting milestones ahead.
“Dallas Black Dance Theatre is an important part of our city's cultural landscape. Their dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement makes Dallas a richer, more dynamic place to live and work,” said Andy Smith, director of giving and volunteering for Texas Instruments and executive director of the TI Foundation. “The TI Foundation recognizes the importance of supporting an organization that celebrates art and fosters creativity while enriching the local arts community."
Receiving this award reflects the TI Foundation's sustained investment in Dallas' cultural institutions and demonstrates confidence in DBDT's mission at a critical phase of organizational transition.
ABOUT DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATRE
Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s mission is to create and produce contemporary modern dance at the highest level of artistic excellence through performances and educational programs that bridge cultures and reach diverse communities. As the largest and oldest professional dance company in Dallas, DBDT is the fourth-largest Black dance company in the nation, ranks in the top 10 largest contemporary modern dance companies in the U.S. and is included among the nation’s 50 largest ballet companies by Dance Data Project. Located in the thriving downtown Dallas Arts District, the nation’s #1 Arts District (USA Today), DBDT has performed worldwide for over 5 million arts patrons and 3 million students in 33 states and 16 countries on five continents. The performances include three Olympics (1992, 1996, and 2012), the nation’s most prestigious venues (Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Broadway, Jacob’s Pillow and Joyce Theatre), and for such luminaries as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and South African President Nelson Mandela. Since 2020, DBDT performances have been viewed virtually in 43 countries and expanded to include virtual student matinees and cultural literacy programs. Since 2021, the virtual education performances have been viewed by nearly 200,000 K-12 students across 28 districts throughout the nation. The Company has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as an American Masterpiece Touring Artist (2008) and received the Texas Medal of the Arts Award for Arts Education (2017).
For more details about Dallas Black Dance Theatre, visit DBDT.com.