Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzy Jones.
A vibrant community gem founded in 1981, the non-profit ArtCentre of Plano promotes and supports cultural arts and arts education throughout the community. The ArtCentre is widely recognized as an outstanding resource in the greater Plano area as demonstrated by the thousands of people who have experienced its high-quality, interesting and bold programming.
The ArtCentre provides family days, art camps and enriching events for children in the community, as well as lectures, receptions, demonstrations and a variety of activities for interested adults. In its new facility, the ArtCentre also is the perfect venue for weddings, corporate retreats, parties, and many other events.
The Art Centre of Plano inspires, supports and promotes excellence, diversity and vitality in the arts and arts education in the community. Our mission is to encourage, support and promote excellence, diversity and vitality in the arts and arts education in the Greater Plano area.
The ArtCentre’s goals are: (1) to provide the resources and physical facility required to support the educational, performing, and visual arts in the greater Plano area; and (2) to ensure the availability of diverse, multi-cultural, arts programming in the Greater Plano area.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The ArtCentre of Plano has existed for over 35 years. During that time, like any non-profit, it has struggled financially, but has always been sustained by the support of dedicated volunteers and a community interested in cultural arts. With the opening of its new facility in the historic Saigling House, the ArtCentre has become the focal point of the new Plano Historical Arts District.
Built in downtown Plano in 1906 by Celestine and Charles Saigling, the beautiful, historic home is considered the first masonry building in the city and has long served the community as a private home and a home for a non-profit agency. It adjoins the lovely Haggard Park that was established in the 1920’s. Together these sites form the centerpiece of the Downtown Arts District.
The Saigling House is now the new home of the ArtCentre of Plano. The City of Plano, a partner with the ArtCentre in the project, has transformed this historic house into a premier arts and community events center providing an affordable venue for local arts groups and community organizations and a location for artists and students to meet, exhibit and grow in a culturally rich environment. As well, the ArtCentre will continue to offer the entire Plano community unique and creative art exhibitions of the highest quality with educational components for cultural growth and inspiration.
In addition to the many uses the interior of the ArtCentre will provide, the large outdoor garden space can host a multitude of events including:
- Weddings and receptions
• Private parties and reunions
• Catered dinners
• Meetings, lectures and recitals
• Small ensemble concerts
• Art Fairs
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ArtCentre of Plano – what should we know?
The ArtCentre of Plano provides exhibitions, educational programs, classes, and art outreach, especially directed to underserved youth. Through its summer program Jump Start for Art, the ArtCentre provides economically disadvantaged youth with a wide range of arts programming as well as the opportunity to perform.
The ArtCentre is extremely proud of its support of the cultural arts in Plano and believes that it has played an important role in strengthening the community and its cultural heritage.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
A cadre of community leaders have a long history of involvement with and support of the ArtCentre of Plano. From its inception they have provided financial support as well as the many volunteer hours necessary to keep the doors open and the programming going.
With the commitment of the City Council of Plano, the opening of the new facility designed to house the ArtCentre and enable it to expand its programming and fundraising has given new life to downtown Plano and the ArtCentre.
Executive Director Suzy Jones has led the Centre for the past 12 years and her creativity and passion have fueled the sustainability of this organization.
Contact Info:
- Address: 901 E. 16th Street,
Plano, TX 75074 - Website: www.artcentreofplano.org
- Phone: 972-423-7809
- Email: suzy.jones@artcentreofplano.org
- Facebook: artcentreofplano
- Twitter: ArtCentre of Plano @OfPlano
Image Credit:
Photos provided by the City of Plano and Mike Newman
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