STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life
AGENDA DATE: August 11, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 7
DEPARTMENT: Office of Arts and Culture
EXECUTIVE: Joey Zapata
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SUBJECT
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Authorize the (1) acceptance of donations from the Communities Foundation of Texas on behalf of the Junior League of Dallas and various contributors to the Juanita Craft House in the amount of $250,000.00; (2) receipt and deposit of private funds in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 in the Office of Cultural Affairs Gifts and Donations Fund; and (3) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 in the Office of Cultural Affairs Gifts and Donations Fund - Estimated Revenue: Office of Cultural Affairs Gifts and Donations Fund $250,000.00
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BACKGROUND
The Office of Arts & Culture (OAC) plans to re-open the Juanita Craft Civil Rights House and Memorial Garden (Craft House) for use as a public historic site open to the public on a regular basis. It will be the only publicly-accessible house museum to honor Mrs. Craft, a grass-roots community organizer who had a profound influence on her community, and the country as a whole.
The Junior League of Dallas (JLD) established a partnership with OAC to restore the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum as their Centennial Anniversary project. This partnership has also led way to the creation of a donor fund entitled “OAC Juanita Craft House and Garden Fund of Community Foundation of Texas” through which private donors, including foundations, can provide funding to the City of Dallas. The JLD Centennial Committee has worked with OAC staff to write and submit grant applications in order to raise funds for the Craft House.
JLD’s partnership has contributed to City Council authorization of grant contracts for $105,000.00 in funds for the Craft House from the Hillcrest Foundation, the Sumerlee Foundation, and the Luse Foundation. In addition to these grant funds, JLD has partnered with the City to raise an additional $250,000.00 currently in the Communities Foundation of Texas donor fund from the following donors: Hoblitzelle Foundation ($100,000.00), Eugene McDermott Foundation ($100,000.00), The Addy Foundation ($20,000.00) Summerfield Foundation ($10,000.00), Children’s Medical Center Foundation ($10,000.00), and the Junior League Garden Committee ($10,000.00).
This action seeks to authorize the acceptance of these funds so that they may be deposited for the Juanita Craft House restoration within the Office of Cultural Affairs Gifts and Donations Fund. Additional funds may be raised by JLD and the City, and would be brought forth to City Council for consideration at that time.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 20, 2019, the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission was briefed on the status of the Juanita J. Craft House and the Historic Structures Report.
On October 8, 2019, City Council authorized the acceptance of the FY 2018 African American Civil Rights Grant by Resolution No. 19-1586.
The Quality of Life Committee was briefed on the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House on November 18, 2019.
The Quality of Life Committee was briefed on the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House Update on September 21, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated Revenue: Office of Cultural Affairs Gifts and Donations Fund $250,000.00