DALLAS – September 22, 2021 – The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings and Micki Rawlings are pleased to be the honorary chairs of the Dallas Education Foundation’s 2021 Annual Campaign – The HEART OF TEACHING. The Dallas Education Foundation is the direct, non-profit philanthropic partner of Dallas ISD with a mission of inspiring community investment to accelerate student success.
The HEART OF TEACHING is a tribute to the 10,000+ teachers in Dallas ISD and an opportunity to recognize the talents of our Dallas ISD art educators, a majority of whom are working artists.
Every day, our Dallas ISD art teachers share their gifts with our students and encourage, lift, and enable them to do more than they thought possible. An art exhibition of nearly 60 of our Dallas ISD teacher-artists will be open for viewing at the Music Hall at Fair Park during and after the State Fair of Texas (September 25 – October 23, 2021). Admission to the exhibition is complimentary (a valid entry to the State Fair is required from September 25 – October 17, 2021).
“We are thrilled to be included in the HEART OF TEACHING collaboration with the Dallas Education Foundation and Dallas ISD,” said Ken Novice, president of Dallas Summer Musicals. “It’s an honor to host the first-ever teacher visual arts showcase at the Music Hall at Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas, and we are so excited to share this impressive exhibition with the public.”
All artwork will be available for purchase through a silent auction with bidding starting on October 1 and closing at an evening event celebration on October 25. All proceeds support the Dallas Education Foundation as they work to fund equity-minded programming district-wide. “Our educators have a heart for teaching, and we are incredibly appreciative to have the opportunity to elevate our Dallas ISD art teachers with this exhibit. The foundation’s positive impact is deep, and the exhibition, along with the evening reception, is the perfect launch to the foundation’s annual campaign,” says Mita Havlick, Executive Director of the Dallas Education Foundation.
Dallas ISD was recently named a 2021 District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association – one of only 40 out of 1,110 districts across the State. “Dallas ISD is the largest district to ever be awarded this honor,” says Monica Hayslip, Dallas ISD Director of Visual Arts, “We have an art program on every campus and nearly 300 art teachers in the district. Each one of them is credited with us being named a District of Distinction.”
Atmos Energy is serving as the HEART OF TEACHING’s title Museum sponsor, with the Addy Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, Grand Canyon University, and Texas Instruments as the additional major sponsors.
Jonathan Fredi, Manager of Public Affairs at Atmos Energy, says, “We know that the Dallas Education Foundation does a fantastic job of advocating for our students and for Dallas ISD. You must educate the whole child, and you cannot leave out art. Through our Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program, we want to give our Dallas ISD students every opportunity to succeed.”
“The gallery exhibition and evening reception are only possible through a partnership with Dallas Summer Musicals and the support of Atmos Energy and all of our sponsors. They know that together we power the future of Dallas – our students,” say Havlick
The Dallas Education Foundation’s 2021 HEART OF TEACHING annual campaign runs from October 25 through December 31.
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About The Heart of Teaching
Please visit our Heart of Teaching annual campaign page: www.futureofdallas.org/event2021
About Dallas ISD
The Dallas Independent School District is continually preparing its more than 143,000 students for college or a career. The district offers a competitive mix of innovative programs, choice programs and instructional initiatives that support the increased academic achievement and the social and emotional development of its students. To learn more, visit www.dallasisd.org.
About the Dallas Education Foundation
The Dallas Education Foundation is inspired every day by the creativity and innovation we see in our Dallas ISD classrooms. We believe our city and our communities are strengthened by each student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. As the non-profit, philanthropic partner of Dallas ISD, we align with the district’s strategic initiatives and partner with our city’s business leaders, residents and philanthropic community that enrich the lives of our students. For more information about the Dallas Education Foundation, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@FutureofDallas), or visit www.futureofdallas.org
About Dallas Summer Musicals
Since 1941, the non-profit Dallas Summer Musicals Inc. (DSM) has presented the Best of Broadway to North Texas audiences. Located in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park, DSM promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of North Texas and the Southwest Region.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to offer affordable ticket prices, preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences, and develop impactful community programs.
DSM gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors, annual fund donors and corporate partners Germania Insurance, American Airlines, Texas Instruments, The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA TV Channel 8. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214-421-5678 or visit our website at DallasSummerMusicals.org. (@dsmusicals)
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural gas-only distributor. We safely deliver reliable, affordable, efficient, and abundant natural gas to more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability, and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. (@atmosenergy)