SAMMONS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Organizational Information

History

The Sammons Center for the Arts was founded in 1981 to renovate the historic Turtle Creek Pump Station and operate it as a multipurpose arts center. The first five years was spent raising the $3 million needed for the renovation, and after two years of renovation, the Center opened March 1, 1988.

Organizational Structure

The Sammons Center is a nonprofit corporation organized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, and operates under the guidance of a 19-member Board of Directors and a 28-member Advisory Board. The Sammons Center's daily operation is managed by an administrative staff led by Executive Director Joanna St. Angelo.

Services

The Sammons Center provides low-cost office, rehearsal, performance and meeting space, as well as administrative resources such as a copy, fax, and postage center. The Center is home to 15 arts organizations representing every discipline. In addition, more than 40 other arts and community organizations use our services and facilities for rehearsals, meetings, performances, auditions, etc. Our facilities are open seven days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12 noon to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays.

DARS - Dallas Arts Resource System

Through this business incubator program, we are able to offer administrative services to small and emerging arts organizations and individual artists. We provide copy services, fax services, automated mail services, express mail and package receiving, postal lock boxes, voice mail, notary services and a library/information center with books on fundraising, arts management, marketing, business administration, etc.

We have recently added additional services including a computer /technology center with computer equipment and software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, accounting packages, desktop publishing, data-base programs and internet access.

Funding

Funding for the operations of the Sammons Center comes primarily from revenues generated through rental and service fees. Approximately 68% of our revenue is self-generated. The balance is derived from special programs such as Sammons Jazz and contributions from businesses, individuals, and income from a modest endowment fund. The Sammons Center is operated at no cost to the tax payers or the City of Dallas.

It is our goal to become self-sufficient through generated revenues, cost controls, fundraising efforts, special projects and through building the endowment fund.

Performances

We have initiated two performance series:

Sammons Jazz, featuring local jazz artists in a relaxed, non- commercial setting at nominal ticket prices. This critically acclaimed jazz series provides a venue for talented local jazz artists and promotes jazz as a unique American art form. Complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee and light appetizers are included in the ticket price.

Ethnic Arts and Culture Series, featuring small and emerging ethnic arts organizations and focusing on a specific ethnic culture at each showcase. We work closely with local groups such as The Mexican Cultural Center, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Asian Chamber of Commerce to bring together corporate and business leaders and encourage their support for these groups who generally do not have access to the sponsorship base. We also work with the media to increase their awareness of these groups, and encourage their coverage of these organizations and their programs.

Mission

The Sammons Center for the Arts has been developed to provide our community with resources and a facility for aspiring artists to hold rehearsals, workshops and conferences in pursuit of their craft. If Dallas is to continue as a shaping force in the recognition and development of new talent, we must provide a permanent environment conducive to the achievement of this goal.

Accomplishments

The success of our project has begun to increase awareness in the community and nationwide of the value and possibilities inherent in old buildings, even those originally built for industrial purposes.

We have also proved that a private initiative can be as successful as, and more efficient than, a public one. Many shared-use facilities have successfully used our formulas in planning their guidelines and strategies. The Sammons Center has gained national attention as one of the best examples of adaptive reuse and of public/private partnership.

Goals

Our long-term goals are to stabilize the Sammons Center financially, and gradually expand the services we offer to the arts community as we identify areas which are relevant to our mission and purpose. We are currently in our ninth year of operation, and look forward to expanding our role as a resource for the arts industry of Dallas, and as a model for other arts incubator projects throughout the country.