2010 Meetings Schedule
The GCAC meets on Tuesday following the third Monday of the first month of each quarter at 4:00 p.m. at the Granville Arts Center to review policies and procedures for the Granville Arts Center and Heritage Park; to promote the arts in general; and acting as Garland Cultural Arts Commission, Inc., to award grants to meritorious cultural organizations. The 2010 meetings will be on January 19, April 20, July 20, and October 19.
In February of 1986, the Garland City Council created the nine member Garland Cultural Arts Commission to serve as a liaison to the City in working with all community based arts and historic organizations. The Commission's primary goal is the increased visibility of the arts in Garland. The GCAC also negotiates agreements for management of the Landmark Museum, Train car, and Lyles House located in Heritage Park, adjacent to the Granville Arts Center. The Commission studies and reviews the policies and procedures of the Granville Arts Center facilities. In 1987, the Commission created the private, non-profit organization known as the GCAC, Inc. to pursue various sources of revenue in order to fund meritorious arts and historic groups through a sub-grant program. This was an outstanding accomplishment since these funds have kept the Garland arts organizations alive during recent years of economic downturn. In recognition of this excellent program, the GCAC, Inc. won the State TRAPS Award for Arts and Humanities in 1989.
The GCAC, Inc. administers the sub-grant program through 1% of the Hotel/Motel tax funds along with additional corporate and private donations. Approximately $500,000 has been placed into local arts organizations since the inception of the program in 1987. This means, by state formulas on dollars spent on the arts, that a minimum of $2,000,000 has been put back into the community from that contribution alone.
The GCAC, Inc. has supported local arts groups through advertising and promotional campaigns. The bi-monthly newsletter, Arts In Action which was originally begun in 1982 by the PAC Guild, is now published by the GCAC, Inc. and is mailed to over 9000 ticket buyers. The GCAC also places ads promoting Garland arts events in numerous Metroplex newspapers. All projects of the GCAC promote current events produced year round by the affiliate arts organizations. Through these major programs, the GCAC, Inc. continues to fulfill their goal of "increasing the visibility of the Arts in Garland."
The GCAC also sponsors a visual arts juried competition with GISD Seniors each year. Cash prizes are presented by the Commission during a reception hosted by the GCAC.
The GCAC has presented an annual Business for The Arts Award at the Chamber Banquet each year since 1990. Numerous Garland Businesses have been recognized for their outstanding support of arts groups in Garland.
In 1997 the voters of Garland approved a bond program that provided for expansion of the Garland Performing Arts Center and renovation of the historic Plaza Theatre on the Square in downtown Garland.
Restoration of the Plaza Theatre began in August of 2000 and was opened to the public in August of 2001. The building itself dates back to 1918. The first movie theatre was opened in the facility in 1941 and then updated to the art deco façade in 1950. The structure was donated to the City of Garland in 1991 by John Skelton who dedicated it in the name of his Aunt, Jennie Bisby. The newly renovated Plaza Theatre features a spacious lobby and elegant auditorium with proscenium stage and luxurious seating for 350 people. The Garland Cultural Arts Commission, Inc. assisted the City of Garland in completing the renovation of the Plaza Theatre with a fundraising campaign. Commemorative star-studded seats and lobby stars engraved with each donor’s name were sold and this campaign raised over $82,000.
Members
Mayor: Joann Traylor
District 1: Harlan Seagren
District 2: Sandra Lockhart
District 3: Rita Day
District 4: Blanca Sanchez
District 5: Howard Gay
District 6: Craig Wright
District 7: DeAnne Driver
District 8: Sheri Stevens
GCAC Agenda
GCAC Minutes