Cultural Arts Commission

About the Commission

In February 1986, the Garland City Council created the nine-member Garland Cultural Arts Commission (GCAC) to serve as a liaison between the City and 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 the management of the Landmark Museum and Train car, located in the Garland Historic Area. 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 helped Garland arts organizations survive the economic downturn. In recognition of this excellent program, GCAC, Inc. won the State TRAPS Award for Arts and Humanities in 1989.

Sub-Grant Program

The GCAC, Inc. administers the sub-grant program through 15% of the hotel/motel tax funds along with additional corporate and private donations. Approximately $1.5 million 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 $4,000,000 has been put back into the community from that contribution alone.

Supporting Local Art

The GCAC, Inc. has supported local arts groups through advertising and promotional campaigns. The "Arts In Action" newsletter, which was originally begun in 1982 by the PAC Guild, was published by the GCAC, Inc. from 1989 until 2008. "Arts In Action" is currently published by the Granville Arts Center and the Garland Cultural Arts Commission, Inc., and is distributed to approximately 15,000 patrons. The GCAC, Inc. also places ads promoting Garland arts events in numerous Metroplex publications, including DFW performing arts playbills and websites. All projects of GCAC, Inc. promote current events produced year-round by the affiliate arts organizations. Through these major programs, GCAC, Inc. continues to fulfill their goal of "increasing the visibility of the Arts in Garland."

Sponsorship & Awards

The GCAC, Inc. also sponsors a visual arts juried competition with Garland Independent School District Seniors each year. Cash prizes are presented by the Commission during a reception hosted by GCAC, Inc.

The GCAC, Inc. 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.

Public Art

As noted in the Cultural Arts Plan, the City of Garland has seen an exciting increase of new public art in recent years. Public art initiatives are funded on a project-by-project basis and include support from the Garland Cultural Arts Commission, the Office of Neighborhood Vitality, Economic Development, Downtown Development and private developers. The City of Garland has developed a public art process for projects that involve public funds and/or public property. All public art projects for the City of Garland must include a city-sponsoring department and begin with a Public Art Project Proposal.

Artist Selection Panel

Public Art projects involve review from a panel comprised of city staff, individuals from the Garland Cultural Arts Commission, project stakeholders and volunteers. If you are interested in serving on an Artist Selection Panel, please submit an interest form. Panels are formed on a project-by-project basis.