Trinity River Arts Center was founded in 1999 by Kathy Tyner, the co-founder of KD Studio. TRAC is KD Studio’s sister organization. Each institution exemplifies Ms. Tyner's commitment to the Arts in Texas. The KD brand has been associated with education, casting, and promotion of the entertainment industry since its doors opened in 1979.
Countless letters and emails have come back to Ms. Tyner to extol the benefits of an education that one can expect in KD's Associate's Degree program and the courses offered to children and adults at TRAC. KD Studio and TRAC have not only launched careers, these institutions have taught invaluable life skills to students which include flexibility, taking initiative, collaboration, respect, timeliness, problem-solving, independence, cooperation, communication techniques, personal confidence, and many others.
Additionally, an unexpected but imperative extension of TRAC’s mission statement has occurred recently. With the mentorship of organizations devoted to the education and care of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), TRAC has developed a "Social Skills On the Stage” program for students with ASD. Classes were developed by seasoned theater artists whose goals are to help autistic children and teens adapt to college life and the workforce as well as integrate socially into their respective communities. The program has been extremely successful thus far.
The mission of Trinity River Arts Center (TRAC) is to provide a performance and exhibition
space for local performance groups and individual artists, offer scholarships to students with
financial needs, share and develop the arts through a strong youth outreach program
focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provide science-based creative dramatics
programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Since the outbreak of Covid, the social and life skill benefits of creative dramatics, especially for children, are more essential than ever.
However, the financial deficits created by the outbreak have severely hampered TRAC's ability to deliver such services. Arts organizations who rent the space have suffered as well, and the burden of support has fallen onto the school. Donations will help cover operating costs to include facility maintenance, and programming costs such as teachers' salaries, marketing, and scholarships.
As we begin to rebuild outreach momentum, plans are underway to travel a group by bus from Tyler ("Kids Aspiring to Dream," non-profit youth program) for a day of educational programs. This will only be the beginning. Twice in 2022 TRAC has hosted a two-part musical theater workshop for children and teens through a grant from Dallas CAP and local artist Michael Childs. To do more of the same, TRAC needs the support of people who appreciate the value of creative dramatics in personal growth.
Trinity River Arts Center is committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and is an equal opportunity employer.
Organization name
The Trinity River Arts Center
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
2600 N STEMMONS FWY STE 117