Mid City Times

Arts Fort Worth recently announced its intention to terminate its agreement with the City of Fort Worth to manage and maintain the Fort Worth Community Arts Center at 1300 Gendy St. The organization will focus on its core mission of public art and funding arts grant programs and will begin to suspend certain programs.

Arts Fort Worth, formerly known as the Arts Council, will continue promoting, supporting, and nurturing arts in the community. The organization contractually administers the City’s public art program and grants for community-based arts organizations.

“While changes like this can feel surprising and concerning, Arts Fort Worth isn’t turning its back on the local arts community,” said Arts Fort Worth executive director Wesley Gentle. “We will focus on leading the growth of our arts ecosystem into an even more accessible, sustainable, and vibrant future.”

The decision was made solely by Arts Fort Worth, which plans to suspend programming by August 1, 2024. Reasons cited for termination include lack of donor funding, a decline in earned revenue, inflation, and costs associated with continuous care and maintenance of the 77,000 square foot public space.

As part of their agreement with the City of Fort Worth, a 12-month notice of intent to terminate is required. The City received this notice on Thursday, July 25 during a meeting between both parties.

Moving forward, Arts Fort Worth will aid in transitioning tenants and users of the building to new spaces while continuing its mission of administering grants through public art and supporting local artists. The Scott Theatre will continue holding events through the end of 2024; however, all events scheduled beyond this year have been canceled with clients notified accordingly.

In addition to managing services on behalf of the City of Fort Worth, Arts Fort Worth supports individual creatives as well as arts and culture businesses by sharing research, celebrating industry achievements through the Heart of Gold awards, and encouraging collaboration within the arts sector.

“1300 Gendy is an important site to Fort Worth’s Cultural District and what becomes of this space poses a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said David Cooke, Fort Worth City Manager. “We are committed to getting this process right.”

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