The Arts Center of North Texas believes the name change reflects the evolution of the region scope and support of the arts park over the last seven years.

A new logo and branding are coming soon.

After months of soliciting input from the cities, private organizations, and Mayors and Council members, who have suggested a name change and citizens who have expressed their support for such a change, the Board and staff of the ACC are moving forward with this recommendation.

“We believe in the merits of selecting a name that more appropriately reflects the broader scope and impact that this performing arts center and arts park will have on the region, as well as acknowledging the commitment and tremendous financial support from communities and areas beyond Collin County” said Mike Simpson, executive director. Donations to date have been received from people in over 15 different cities and the support and interest in this project has expanded throughout the region.

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 financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at Sam Rayburn Tollway/ 121 just east of Custer Road at Exchange Parkway, 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, view the virtual tour of the project and learn more, visit www.artsofcollincounty.org or call 214-495-5810.

Since the Arts of Collin County Board appointed the art selection committee in fall of 2010, the group has met to begin developing an Art Master Plan for selecting and placing new pieces of art throughout the project in; the outdoor sculpture garden, meadow, entrances, trails and interior spaces of the performing arts center such as; the lobbies, learning room, donor room, classroom and visual art gallery.

One idea involved creating a local artist theme that would connect with the Texas landscape and architecture while providing a venue for local artists to be showcased. Other discussions included procedures for art procurement, proposed donated art review process, installations on the site and encouraging on-going acquisition of artwork. All of these tasks will be part of a specific Arts Master Plan and Art Implementation Plan that when completed will be presented for adoption by the Arts of Collin County Commission Board of Directors.

The Committee also wants to establish a process for public involvements in creating the Art Master Plan. At it’s February meeting they will begin to map out the process and a timeline.

About the Art Selection Committee

Membership includes professionals in public art, private art collections and curators. There are seven voting members and one non-voting member. The committee members are appointed by the Arts of Collin County Commission Board of Directors with terms of three years with no term limits. Meetings will be held as needed throughout the year.

This makeup of this committee continues to demonstrate that collaboration is at the heart of the arts park and performing arts hall project planned by the Arts of Collin County.

Voting:

• Arts Patron/Donor – Janice Brittingham
• Professional Curator – Professor Luke Sides, Collin College
• Public Art Manager – Lori Smeby, City of Allen
• Public Art Manager – Richard Oldham, City of Frisco
• Public Art Manager – Ron Smith, City of Plano
• Member Arts of Collin County Board of Directors – Betty Muns and Charles Nies
• Non-Voting:
• Arts of Collin County Executive Director – Mike Simpson

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 financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at Sam Rayburn Tollway/ 121 just east of Custer Road at Exchange Parkway, 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, view the virtual tour of the project and learn more, visit www.artsofcollincounty.org or call 214-495-5810.

“Take Me Out to the Ball game…” may be one of America’s most loved songs and sport. So why not combine your spirit for arts and sports with a fun, family night out benefiting the Arts of Collin County.

Friday, July 23 at 7 p.m., the Frisco RoughRiders take on the Corpus Christi Hooks at the Arts of Collin County Night. The cost is $20 and includes; a bullpen game ticket, playball program, RoughRiders baseball hat, all you can eat burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks and best of all…a contribution to the Arts of Collin County. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display over the ballpark.

For tickets, contact Jeff Hamler at 972-334-1901 or jhamler@ridersbaseball.com for tickets today (make sure to tell him the tickets are for the Arts of Collin County Night). See you at the game!

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, $3 million in Collin County Open Space Grant funds, and additional financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at half mile east of Custer Road on the Sam Rayburn Tollway (Hwy. 121), 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.

“The Music Conservatory of Texas applauds our young adults who choose to study music,” states Chris Duncan, co-founder of The Music Conservatory of Texas. “In memory of our co-founder Carol Lee South and to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we proudly offer this scholarship for a Frisco student whose future will enrich the lives of their audience and students with the arts,” continues Duncan.

Two sisters, Chris and Carol, raised in a musical family had a dream to own a music school introducing and nurturing thousands of children to music and the arts. Chris Duncan, armed with a music degree and sister Carol Lee, a marketing background, together founded the Music Conservatory of Texas based in Frisco in 2000. Before they opened the school, Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with aggressive treatment, strong family and faith, she lost her battle. Not to be discouraged, Carol’s husband, Steve South joined forces with Chris Duncan to continue their dream of a successful music studio/school. Ten years later, two locations (original in Frisco and another in Flower Mound) and thousands of students later, the Music Conservatory of Texas thrives with Carol’s spirit and her family’s commitment. In her memory, Carol and Chris were honored as 2009 Frisco Art Starters.

Ten years of success does not happen by accident. Music Conservatory of Texas strives to be the finest quality music education school in the region. Each of its highly university trained instructors are employees which provides parents the assurance that each teacher completes a background check, drug testing and has a commitment to the school and their students.

Not only skilled in classical music training, Music Conservatory of Texas embraced the “ROCK SCHOOL” concept before it was cool. Since 2005 the DayRockerZ summer one-week Rock Camps for 10-16 year olds are such a success that it has been integrated into the year long program, and added weekly Rock School, Jazz School and Classical School as well. This year the NEW Musical Arts Schoolhouse Pre-School with an arts emphasis curriculum has been added. Music programs include groups, private lessons, all levels and ages including adults in guitar disciplines (acoustic, electric, classical and Bass), voice, violin, banjo, mandolin, flute, percussion disciplines (drums, mallets) and more. Music is fun but even more importantly is an exceptional tool to build discipline, team work, self-esteem and is proven to enhance student’s test scores in math. www.mcot.com