Fort Worth’s only public center for community art is closing. Here’s why
The nonprofit that manages the Fort Worth Community Arts Center announced Wednesday that it will cease management of the historic Cultural District complex at 1300 Gendy St.
Arts Fort Worth, formerly known as the Arts Council of Fort Worth, has managed the 77,000-square-foot structure originally built for the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth since 2002, when the museum moved to its current building.
In late 2023 a city task force concluded the city-owned building needed more than $30 million in deferred repairs and instead recommended updating it to become a “world class cultural hub” and received four proposals. Dallas-based Garfield Public Private and Nebraska-based Goldenrod Companies presented their visions at an October 2023 public meeting, but after a review by city officials, neither firm was selected.
“Ultimately, repairing, maintaining, and managing this important 77,000 square foot public facility presented a significant challenge, and the cost of continuing its operations is now unsustainable,” Arts Fort Worth Executive Director and President Wesley Gentle said in a statement.
Programming will end over the next few months, beginning with the original works series, biennial exhibition, talks and workshops on Aug. 1. Fall Gallery Night and the Fringe Festival will continue.
The building, including galleries, will close on Jan. 1, 2025, to allow resident companies to pack and relocate.
The organization is not going away, however.
Even without a physical location, it will continue to incentivize arts and culture programs through grants and the Fort Worth Public Art program. In March of 2025, Arts Fort Worth will again celebrate the local arts community through the Heart of Gold awards and inaugurate an arts summit.
“While changes like this can feel surprising and concerning, Arts Fort Worth isn’t turning its back on the local arts community. We will focus on leading the growth of our arts ecosystem into an even more accessible, sustainable, and vibrant future,” Gentle said.
This story was originally published July 24, 2024 at 2:10 PM.