In August 1980, the Irving City Council established the Arts Board. They were charged with oversight of the Irving Arts Center. The eleven members are appointed by the Irving City Council. Their work is funded through a portion of the local hotel occupancy tax.
Irving Arts Board’s mission is to serve the citizens of Irving and attract visitors through the support and development of artistic opportunities. They accomplish this by acquiring, maintaining and operating art facilities. In addition, they provide support to organizations and individuals who provide arts programming, and by providing direct programming at the Center and throughout the community.
Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 5:15pm. Agendas are posted as required by law. All meetings are held at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75062.
Interested in serving on the Arts Board?
2023-24 Irving Arts Board Members
Kelly O’Briant (Chair)
Rikki Bett (Vice-Chair)
Deborah Fleck (Secretary)
Donna Bourgeois
Robert Charles Josch
Chris E. Wallace
Fr. Gregory Schweers
Melody Gamblin-Bullock
Lindy Calzada
Max Duplant
Jo Anne Hull
Irving Arts Board Liaisons:
Al Zapanta (City Council Liaison)
Teresa Adrian (City Manager Liaison)
Arts Board Initiatives
In 2017, the Board commissioned Bolero Texas. Under the artistic Direction of Larry Keigwin, KEIGWIN + COMPANY dancers came to Irving for a two week community residency. Inspired by Maurice Ravel’s iconic score, Bolero Texas incorporated a cast of over 50 community members and dancers into a unique performance. Using the two-step and line dances as a foundation, the piece created for Irving celebrated everything “Texas,” including cowboys, folklorico, and football, DFW Airport and highlighted our diverse community. The residency culminated in a performance of the KEIGWIN + COMPANY with Bolero Texas as the finale.
Innovation Grant Program
The Department of Arts and Culture announced a new grant program in 2018 to support artistic innovation in the City of Irving. The program encourages nonprofit organizations to try bold ideas and collaborations that they could not otherwise accomplish. It is intended to spark creativity, encourage interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaborations, and extend the reach of arts and culture in Irving. The grants, with their emphasis on innovation, are intended to stimulate new (or substantially improved) activities. Projects must be consistent with the Arts and Culture Department’s strategic priorities of promoting the arts, celebrating the rich diversity of our community, and supporting economic development. Eight projects were selected for initial funding. The next anticipated application date will be 2020.
Bolero Texas Rehearsal Photos
