WFMA at MSU Receives Grants from Texas Commission on the Arts
Arts and Humanities

WFMA at MSU Receives Grants from Texas Commission on the Arts

  • 13 December 2014
  • 2 min read

The Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University (WFMA) has received two grants totaling $8,500 from the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA).

"The TCA grant process is highly competitive, and it is a compliment to the WFMA and MSU to receive two grants in support of our excellent exhibitions," said WFMA executive director Dr. Francine Carraro.

One grant of $ 3,500 will support the exhibition An Abundance of Riches: Woodcuts of Andrea Rich. Rich, based in Santa Cruz, Calif., portrays birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats. She has traveled the world observing wildlife to preserve in her art. In conjunction with the 40 framed woodcuts, the WFMA will present an educational series on art and nature. Programs include panel discussions on nature and art, gallery talks, school tours, and printmaking workshops conducted by Rich. The MSU Harvey School of Visual Arts, River Bend Nature Center, and Wild Bird Rescue of Wichita Falls will collaborate on the program to connect the art of portraying nature with the reality of conserving and protecting nature. The exhibition is tentatively scheduled for January 23-April 4, 2015.

The second grant of $5,000 provides general year-round exhibit and educational programming support for the museum.

"The WFMA at MSU serves both the community and the university," Carraro said. "The museum is building bridges and making powerful connections through art for all ages, and these two grants from TCA will ensure that we are offering the best in art and in museum experiences."

The Texas Commission on the Arts has approved funding of 875 grants in its first round of funding for fiscal year 2015. The grants total $4.5 million and will provide for nonprofits and units of government in 115 cities.

"We are pleased to be able to provide support for so many quality arts activities across the state," said Gary Gibbs, executive director of the TCA. "The substantial work that our grantees are doing not only advances the arts in Texas, but provides valuable art experiences to Texans in rural communities, schools, hospitals, social service settings, and more."