Additional philanthropic foundation, business and individual support are needed to make this a reality for the community today and for generations to come. This investment is an investment that benefits families, local employees and the overall quality of life that allows economic growth to thrive and North Texas to sustain its national leadership role as a desirable hub for business and “best places to live.”

“By supporting the Arts of Collin County, Collin County families and corporations are demonstrating their leadership to ensure our region offers quality of life, cultural development and economic impact for generations to come,” states Mike Simpson. “The Arts of Collin County Commission is grateful for their support.”

As the project gets closer to reaching its fundraising goal, groundbreaking is in sight for Spring. The guaranteed maximum price for construction will be announced in February. With this final investment figure, the Arts of Collin County and owner cities can proceed with approval to break ground for phase 1 which includes a 2,100 seat state-of-the-art performing arts hall and arts park nestled among 100+ acres located at the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Exchange Parkway where the cities of Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano meet. . Based on today’s market and low construction costs, the remaining funds needed are expected to between $8M and $10M.

A virtual tour of the project is available for viewing at www.artsofcollincounty.org also where online donations are accepted.

About The Arts of Collin County

The Arts of Collin County (ACC) is a nationally recognized, innovative, public-private partnership to develop a 100+ acre arts park. Co-owned by the cities of Allen, Frisco and Plano, with operational support by member cities, Fairview and Melissa, the development of the arts park is supported with $57 million in bond monies, up to $3 million in Collin County Open Space Grant funds, and an additional $17 million financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at Sam Rayburn Tollway/ 121 and Custer Road, the arts park will be completed in phases, with a 2,100-seat performing arts hall, sculpture garden, performance meadow, and hike and bike trails included in Phase One. To contribute and learn more, visit the ACC website at www.artsofcollincounty.org or call 214-495-5810.

Sandra Yancey

Business woman Sandra Yancey has been appointed as an At Large Member of the Arts of Collin County Commission. Sandra, her husband Kym and their two children have been strong supporters of the arts community for a number of years.

“As a Plano resident, I have a strong interest in this project. Our collective communities are built on wonderful principles and values and our infrastructure in leading edge,” states Mrs. Yancey. “The only missing element is a world-class arts center, and I would like to contribute to bringing it to our community.”

Yancey is best known for founding eWomenNetwork in 2001, an online networking database that connects women business owners and professionals. As CEO, Yancey has won numerous awards including Business Women’s Network and Microsoft’s 2005 Entrepreneur Star Award, Women’s Regional Publishing Association’s 2005 Advocate of the Year award and Enterprising Women’s Enterprising Women Advocacy Award in 2006. Yancey also founded the eWomenNetwork Foundation in 2001 and has donated thousands of dollars to women’s non-profit organizations and scholarship foundations.

“As we expand the Board to seven members, we looked for members with a corporate network and experience in fundraising as well as passion for the arts,” states E. Michael Simpson, Executive Director of the Arts of Collin County. “Sandra’s experience with nonprofits will add to the collective resources of the board.”

The Arts of Collin County Commission Board of Directors expanded from five to seven members in April of 2009 with two members representing each of the three Owner cities, Allen, Frisco and Plano and one at-large member. With Yancey’s appointment, the final At-Large Member position was filled.

“The Arts of Collin County Commission welcomes Sandra Yancey to the project. Her extensive experience in nonprofits, business development and collaboration will be an asset to our team,” states Bobby Baggett, President of the Arts of Collin County Commission Board of Directors.

The remaining representatives include Mr. Nick Barretta of Frisco, Mr. Bobby Baggett of Plano, Mr. Jim Minyard of Frisco, Dr. Betty Muns of Plano, Mr. Charles Nies of Allen and Mr. Craig Sundell of Allen.

For more information about the Arts of Collin County, visit www.artsofcollincounty.org.

About The Arts of Collin County

The Arts of Collin County (ACC) is a nationally recognized, innovative, public-private partnership to develop a 124 acre arts park. Co-owned by the cities of Allen, Frisco and Plano, with operational support by member cities, Fairview and Melissa, the development of the arts park is supported with $57 million in bond monies, $3 million in Collin County Open Space Grant funds, and an additional $17 million financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at State Highway 121 and Custer Road, the arts park will be completed in phases, with a 2,100-seat performing arts hall, performance meadow, and hike and bike trails included in Phase One. To contribute and learn more, visit the ACC website at www.artsofcollincounty.org or call 214-495-5810.

Mystery art structures to be unveiled Wednesday, Aug. 12.

From Press Release

Dallas-based shopping center developer The MGHerring Group will reveal the five artistic structures recently installed on Stacy Road between The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview (at the intersection of U.S. 75 and Stacy Road) during a public unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

The ceremony will take place in the parking lot of EyeMasters, located on the north side of The Village at Allen facing Stacy Road.

The 18-foot by 10-foot structures will serve as the centerpiece for The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview, visually unifying the joint 3-million-square-foot, regional mixed-use lifestyle development which is separated by Stacy Road.

Following the unveiling, guests will have the opportunity to meet the mystery artist, well-known for his work as an architect and urban designer in the Dallas community. The “Meet the Artist” portion of the event will take place in The Cortona Leasing Office (Suite 1510) at The Village at Allen. The artist will remain at The Village at Allen until 4 p.m. to answer questions and provide an overview of the art.

“The MGHerring Group wanted to support the local art community by commissioning an area artist to design structures that will serve as the focal point for The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview,” said Gar Herring, president of The MGHerring Group. “These unique works of art will become a regional landmark for individuals visiting the centers and frequently traveling on Stacy Road.”

MGHerring began working with the artist more than a year ago to commission the structures, which were installed along the median on Stacy Road over a three-day period and covered with black cloth to keep the design hidden until the unveiling ceremony.

The unveiling will follow the recent opening of the first phase of The Village at Fairview, marked by the opening of department store anchors JCPenney and Macy’s. I.O. Metro, a specialty furniture retailer, and Bailey’s Prime Plus Steakhouse will open this fall. The first phase also will include the opening of approximately 400 residential units at The Cortona (the center’s multifamily residential complex).

Second phase openings for The Village at Fairview will begin in March 2010 and will include Dillard’s, Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinema, The Container Store, Patrizio and Cyclone Anaya Mexican Kitchen. Whole Foods Market® will open in summer 2010.

The Village at Allen opened in October 2008 and is anchored by Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, HomeGoods, PetSmart, ROSS Dress for Less, Super Target , Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us “R” Superstore and TJMaxx. This fall, the 6,275-seat Allen Event Center and Courtyard by Marriott Dallas-Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center will open at The Village at Allen.

Together, The Village at Fairview and The Village at Allen comprise the largest mixed-use development in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. Upon completion, the project will span 400 acres and include 2 million square feet of retail and 1 million square feet of office, residential and hotel space.

About The MGHerring Group

With a reputation for design, quality and integrity, Dallas-based The MGHerring Group has developed more than 30 major shopping centers and regional malls in the United States and Mexico, totaling more than 24 million square feet of retail space. The MGHerring Group has been recognized with numerous industry awards and is considered by many to be among the top shopping center developers in the nation.

Mystery art structures to be unveiled Wednesday, Aug. 12.