We are so inspired by YOU! Thank you for helping us further the mission and let's keep the momentum up by hitting our "stretch-goal" of $17,500! Every single dollar helps us cover our operational costs and support North Texas Artists.
The Cedars Union (The CU) was founded in 2015 as an arts incubator dedicated to supporting visual artists and fostering a diverse and vibrant arts community. We provide artists with essential resources they need to thrive economically and build resilient small businesses utilizing their creative talent.
In 2018, the organization opened a proof-of-concept space, called The Annex in the Cedars neighborhood, a mixed-use community south of Downtown Dallas. This location was chosen because of the Cedars’ reputation and history as a home and workplace for artists and creatives central to downtown Dallas, Texas. The Annex is a 7,000 sq/ft space that includes modular artist studios, shared workspaces, computer labs, and a well-appointed woodshop and fabrication space.
Since the summer of 2018, the Annex has housed The Cedars Union’s signature incubator program, the Cohort Program. This low-residency style incubator program selects 15 to 18 emerging artists through a juried process to lease affordable micro-studios from The CU for 18-months. Through the program, artists see tremendous growth in a nurturing environment with meaningful peer-to-peer dialog, all while being able to remain in their home city and balance the realities of work and life.
In the Summer of 2019, The CU added the Community Member Program, allowing for a non-juried opportunity for individuals to receive 24/7 access to the shared workspaces, member programs, and exhibition opportunities available at The Annex. CU Community Membership has no juried barrier to entry, and any type of artist, creative, or maker may join at any time for a low monthly fee. In 2022, we also added a non-monetary Co-Op level of Community Membership, where artists receive full membership in exchange for a few hours of facility up-keep every month. This no-cost entry point to The CU allows us to remain in-tune with the needs of the city while keeping staff costs down so we can focus more on programs and new initiatives.
Our Mission: The mission of the Cedars Union is to provide resources such as studios, tools, programs, and pro-bono services for creatives, foster a collaborative and supportive artist community, and advance the arts in North Texas.
Our Vision: North Texas is a vibrant international art community where art is celebrated and artists thrive. As much as art gives life to its patrons, it can provide for its creators.
Our Values: Inspire collaboration between the community and the arts; be inclusive and diverse; uphold the highest standards; respect artists' creative expression and protect their rights.
Our Needs
Dear Friends & Followers,
As we continue our journey of nurturing creativity and supporting the arts, we reach out to you on North Texas Giving Day with a heartfelt request for financial assistance. Your generous contributions play a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding our organization's mission, allowing us to provide even greater value to our community.
Your financial gift goes beyond mere donations; it becomes an investment in the growth and development of our vibrant artistic ecosystem. Here's how your support will make a meaningful impact:
Expanding our Programming: Your contribution will enable us to continue diversifying and enhancing our programs. From workshops and exhibitions to educational initiatives, your support fuels innovation in North Texas.
Infrastructure and Maintenance: As Texas heats up, so do the costs of keeping our artists cool. Air conditioning and heating maintenance expenses have surged, and we need your help to ensure a comfortable environment for our creatives. Your support helps us maintain a cool and productive studio space all year long!
Enhancing Equipment Accessibility: Your support enables us to invest in and maintain equipment, such as cameras and tripods, that our members rely on for their endeavors. This not only fosters creativity but also elevates the quality of work produced.
We also extend a warm invitation to join us on November 23rd for Cedars Open Studios. This event offers a unique opportunity to witness firsthand how we collaborate with emerging artists and champion the visual arts in North Texas. You'll experience the creative energy that flows through our organization and see the tangible results of your support.
Together, we can continue to build a vibrant and nurturing space for artists to thrive and for the arts to flourish. We look forward to your generous contributions and the opportunity to celebrate our shared passion for the arts on November 23rd.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.
Best Wishes,
The Cedars Union Staff & Board of Directors
THE CEDARS UNION'S EQUITY STATEMENT
The Cedars Union believes artists thrive in strong, diverse, and inclusive communities. Institutions such as The CU must be an integral part in breaking down barriers that have created these elitist environments in the arts ecosystem. We are committed to helping foster an equitable and inclusive community of artists that respects artists' creative expression, protect artist's rights, and inspire collaboration within the community and the arts, regardless of age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status.
Questions, comments, or feedback? Please contact development@cedarsunion.org
Organization name
The Cedars Union
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
1219 S. Ervay