Arts of Collin County

NORTH TEXAS BUSINESS AND ARTS LEADERS UNITE

BEHIND ARTS OF COLLIN COUNTY

COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS – (February 26, 2010)– More than 230 North Texas business leaders and arts enthusiasts gathered to support the Arts of Collin County at their two-part session, the “Arts of the Arts” breakfast and the “Business for the Arts” luncheon, located at The Westin Stonebriar in Frisco on Thursday, February 25. The Arts of Collin County hosted the events to report on exciting new progress and to share the valuable message that supporting the arts is good business as the Arts of Collin County nears groundbreaking in spring 2010.

The “Arts for the Arts” breakfast sponsored by The Westin Stonebriar connected more than 40 arts groups and advocates from North Texas to build an arts support network that will continue to grow as the Arts of Collin County comes to life.

The “Business for the Arts” luncheon, sponsored by The Westin Stonebriar, Darling Homes, Hall Office Park, AT&T, Mario Sinacola & Sons and Skai Floral, brought together more than 190 business leaders from across North Texas and featured keynote speakers Holly Reed, Regional Vice-President of External Affairs for AT&T, Bernard Weinstein, Ph.D, Associate Director of the Maguire Energy Institute at Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and Arts of Collin County Executive Director Mike Simpson.

“There is no place in the country where you can build and grow a business like North Texas,” stated Reed. “It makes good business sense to contribute to the Arts of Collin County as it will continue to impact the new and current generations of creative workers that are coming into our businesses.”

Reed and Dr. Weinstein both reiterated the positive economic impact that building an arts hall and park will have on Collin County and all of North Texas.

“The Arts of Collin County will not only bring jobs and increase the quality of life in Collin County, but it will also stimulate population and financial growth within the entire Dallas/Fort-Worth Metroplex,” stated Dr. Weinstein. “The Arts of Collin County will give this region an advantage for new business and families looking to relocate to North Texas.”

Following Reed and Dr. Weinstein’s presentations, Simpson updated the businesses about recent Arts of Collin County developments, including the results of the initial guaranteed maximum price for construction of Phase I which is estimated at $69.9M by Hunt Construction Group, a cost reduction of $16M from the estimated costs of $86M in March 2009.  With a possible groundbreaking in spring 2010, Simpson assured the crowd that the Arts of Collin County will fulfill the need for an arts venue in the region while collaborating with other venues in Dallas-Fort Worth; including, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, the Eisemann Center and the Bass Concert Hall.

“The Arts of Collin County will not only provide a place for our arts organizations to perform, but it will also give all of North Texas a place to gather and enjoy the arts, something that Collin County doesn’t currently provide,” stated Simpson. “Now is the best time to make a contribution and become a part of the Arts of Collin County.”

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 $12 million financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at Sam Rayburn Tollway/121 just east of 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, view the virtual tour of the project and learn more, visit www.artsofcollincounty.org or call 214-495-5810.

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