[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6569994,"mediaKeyId","3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8","parentId",3193987,"title","Eiseman Center proposes 2025–26 season, budget and a nonprofit fee-waiver pilot to expand community access","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",2064000,"endMs",2386000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8&start=2064&end=2386","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8/thumbnail_2064000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569994/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Eiseman-Center-proposes-202526-season-budget-and-a-nonprofit-fee-waiver-pilot-to-expand-community-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569994-ae316e1cd8bfebecd252dea427543307/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186209&Signature=SmI8OW1wEtr873fAy9UKbomxHqCNBSp6COu0snd7q0ZM9vmz~ZViQPkhMBZBv4mxX5M8NHPmHXkQjA9jZ96TDZkqS1mi4ta8X9ApUdAj7RQPvPpJqfl~iLvCunEdaAQ~ZhaPGAFfMnFmS6AdkvtFZo3bCW8Jpy3cIgqX--uaOXBjnW0mHzGlTKz6o-EpvlUTRqCWZR9HdR~PgTX7XAkgL7Dh1bt05NYQJKZqucNnp7KD5r7NpgFR4-KbhiEMAi-AAsQOJAIlQJcBbCfeNlsEW2PKVr91fseGjMe3H0xaH71fBlyocfgK~hHKl1EvcOGgXI0je9chaFnIGDNcMJOIGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richardson","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","Allie, Eiseman Center staff, presented the center’s proposed 2025–26 “Eiseman Center Presents” season to the Richardson City Council, including programming priorities, a revenue and expense outlook and a planned nonprofit rental support program.

“Allie” (presentation lead) told council, “The Eiseman Center really aligns ourselves to the city council goal of having residents and all stakeholders choose Richardson as the best place to locate, contribute, and engage.” She described programming choices that favor performance excellence, local demographic relevance and artist-led community engagement such as school residencies, workshops and outreach beyond the theater.

Staff summarized the proposed revenue and expense figures for the season. The presentation listed proposed ticket sales of about $856,000; sponsorships and special-event revenue of roughly $110,000; and friends memberships of about $25,000, for a total proposed revenue near $992,549. On the expense side staff listed contractual and professional services of just over $630,000; equipment rentals of about $26,000; advertising, printing and postage of approximately $243,000; and food and artist provisions of about $86,000. Staff said the budget would net in the neighborhood of $381,000 (presentation phrasing was approximate).

Allie described initiatives tied to economic development and community access: a corporate event rental marketing strategy to better showcase venue capabilities with the adjacent Renaissance Hotel, and a nonprofit rental support program that standardizes fee waivers. Staff characterized the nonprofit program as a pilot, budgeting and considering roughly $30,000–$40,000 in fee waivers annually; the program is planned to start October 1 of the next fiscal year. Allie said the nonprofit support program is separate from cultural-arts grants but that staff would consider applicants’ other city funding when making decisions.

Staff also highlighted education and outreach metrics for the center: several artists completed week-long residencies this year, and staff said the center served more than 3,000 students through school shows and engagement activity over the past season. Programming adjustments for next season include a lighter fall schedule, expanded jazz programming in the cabaret space and additional authors and speakers.

Councilmembers responded with praise and questions about budgetary strategy and nonprofit support. Councilmember Dorian said, “Allie, you're doing such a great job,” and others praised the center’s partnerships and outreach to schools. Councilmember Anderson Bridal asked whether the nonprofit fee-waiver program would interact with hotel–motel-tax-funded cultural grants; Allie said the program would be separate from the grant program but that staff expected to consider grant awards when evaluating fee-waiver applications.

No council action or vote was recorded on the proposed budget or nonprofit pilot during the meeting; council feedback was supportive and staff indicated they would include further detail during the budget development process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richardson - City Council Work Session - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Eiseman Center staff previewed programming for the 2025–26 season, proposed a nearly $1.0M revenue plan and a pilot nonprofit rental support program with $30k–$40k in fee waivers; council members praised outreach and economic-development uses of the venue.","taxTitle","Richardson, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2786,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569999,"City staff previews 2025 Wildflower Arts & Music Festival; highlights volunteers, programming and new security measures",250,1261000,1511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8&start=1261&end=1511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8/thumbnail_1261000.jpg","/articles/6569999/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/City-staff-previews-2025-Wildflower-Arts-Music-Festival-highlights-volunteers-programming-and-new-security-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569999-bd57dde1b461607416e386e47470fa5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186209&Signature=APLglplKJnFKmEk-6koNcLeLtr9DHQT0q4Dn6NxJ26PYcH~OiC8Rm5ictYyzMnX4dBBLhEIrw6HCkW2YkqAXpvX3Pn3O-fF9Rsm4lj2u4ri28fIU6W7g8~OSpY5KtrzvOoo3xVjo8xglKN0nKxSDPZn~vFYz~PrzCHNxAC61uyc1isIyBmAWw2laGLeuaXU~6Wo-2clrNzK5dLiMIG~NGWnBLfqbtETUYOiwcPRKcaoxyNpZMgZS4JzwH~WUDIigYQRpmEUrRRgaTqnHVbWm2U1SnuBbyCzbEy-QgPzAXV4nqENG5DMvjIGCn4UzkVeYJdC56znlAJttVz7r0Fa3xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff provided the Richardson City Council with an overview of the 2025 Wildflower Arts & Music Festival, including dates, headline performers, volunteer numbers, new site features and upgraded security preparations.

Diane Lawrence, presenting on the festival, said, “I'm very excited to be before you tonight to give you kind of a preview and oversight of this year's Wildflower Arts and Music Festival.” Lawrence outlined operating dates and hours: Friday, May 16 (6 p.m.–11:30 p.m.), Saturday, May 17 (noon–11:30 p.m.) and Sunday, May 18 (noon–6 p.m.), and identified the footprint as Gallatin Park Urban Center.

Staff described the festival as a large-scale event spanning multiple stages and performance areas. Lawrence said the 2025 lineup includes national and regional acts across the weekend (examples announced in the presentation included Young the Giant, Needtobreathe, Moon Taxi and others) and additional programming such as the Wildflower on Wheels outreach, the Al Johnson songwriter contest and youth-focused activities with the Richardson Library.

Lawrence provided several numerical details for the council: the festival uses six stages, features more than 100 performers and over 100 staff members, engages 817 volunteers who fill roughly 1,700 positions and involves 14 property partners. Staff also reported that 58 percent of volunteer roles are filled by corporate and civic groups and that 40 percent of the volunteer base have volunteered for 10 or more years.

Lawrence described new on-site features and safety updates: an interactive installation called Los Trampos near the Eisen Center, a Wildflower Wonderwall community mural built from hundreds of participant-painted pieces, free community CPR training with the fire department, and a new MVB 3x modular vehicle barrier system the police department will deploy at two entrances. Lawrence said the barrier system is “designed to stop a vehicle basically within 35 feet of impact” and that staff planned to supplement the system with additional concrete barricades and Meridian-style barricades in coordination with the Plano Police Department.

On revenue and attendance logistics, staff said the festival has tiered ticket pricing with residential discounts available online; sales opened February 11. Lawrence reported that VIP single-day passes for Friday and Saturday and three-day VIP packages were sold out at the time of the presentation. The festival includes fundraising elements such as an art guitar auction (benefiting community ministries and the RISD fine arts program) and a marketplace supporting local vendors.

Councilmembers asked a small number of operational questions and thanked festival staff for work at recent events (staff noted extensive preparation after heavy rains at Cottonwood Art Festival). Yvonne Falgu, who also spoke briefly, told the council she was “really excited for this year's lineup and all the new precautions that have been taken with safety and just the improvements to the site.”

No formal council votes were recorded on the festival presentation during the meeting.","Wildflower Festival dates, headline acts, volunteer levels and new modular vehicle barriers were detailed; staff reported certain VIP tickets sold out and that residency and outreach programming continues.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570004,"Richardson honors winners of MLK Jr. essay and Black History Month art contests",1103,30000,1133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8&start=30&end=1133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193987-50111b0b0dba8f60d80c54dbaf350bf8/thumbnail_30000.jpg","/articles/6570004/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Richardson-honors-winners-of-MLK-Jr-essay-and-Black-History-Month-art-contests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570004-acd34f8882d4c6ce72c731fcab1e730b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186209&Signature=DUqLZVehQoyveuylLlEhQ0FJfkG6kQx2EpJFDK4nMkot1rcx5FuSNtDQcMUeUIm5HPJDgh6ZREVOvJ~J3avTyCUsuQg-9NFNQn1T8lW0pcY1FYD0jFEf77Z2ueTf5d9xN3y7HGpQXzHxETeeJDwtdy-GnmzeZYVm1hY4i9RPNq~yvGSpJwn4NWJlp~lL5-VA1MKdBTiEfFLzlApplg3h8rY-XdFZ1Gl4PY7FFY~3bQZ6MW5dGPzvk7AtbV9lAPG6hwUK4nlud5ic1B7UHBV6j0PwLZnGgosH8nT9WemqhQ5GkRVCH2oL6Dc5ises2L1U2zarz---uvbz7sWfJmggiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson City Council on a regular meeting night recognized the winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest and the Black History Month art contest, awarding certificates and publishing rights to students across grade levels.

Mr. Magner, a city staff member overseeing the program, introduced the contestants and judges and said, “we are extremely excited tonight to welcome all of our guests in the audience, both the winners of the contest this year, as well as their family and friends.” The program was presented by city staff with partnerships from the Richardson and Plano Independent School Districts, the University of Texas at Dallas and several city commissions.

Eligibility for both contests included students in grades 1–12 who either live in Richardson or attend school within the city; homeschooled students and students attending private schools in the area were also eligible. The essay contest accepted one entry per student (grades 4–12 for the essay categories), limited to 500 words and submitted as a PDF; entries could not include identifying information or AI-generated content. The art contest accepted one entry per student across kindergarten through 12th grade and allowed two- and three-dimensional work; entries could not include AI-generated or copyrighted material.

Greg Sowell, who the city credited with coordinating the contests since 2021, described the two-stage judging process: an internal preliminary round followed by a finalist round judged by a panel that included representatives from RISD, PISD, UT Dallas and the Cultural Arts Commission. The transcript identifies judge participants including school board member Debbie Renteria (RISD), assistant superintendent Dr. Matthew Gibbons (RISD executive team), assistant superintendent Dr. Melissa Heller (RISD executive team), Zohab Hassanley (PISD assistant director of communications), Janelle Gray (UT Dallas graduate teaching fellow) and associate professor Andrew Scott (UT Dallas School of Arts, Technology and Emerging Communication).

City staff announced the winners by category. Art winners included Pranil Thakkar (Stinson Elementary) for Roots and Heritage (K–3 or first art category), Cohen Hughes (Arapaho Classical Magnet) for Fighting for a Cause (4–6), Amal Raj Anil Kumar (Richardson West Junior High, Arts & Technology Magnet) for The Threads That Tie Us Together (7–9) and Ayanna Wooten (Richardson High School) for Hope Through Trials and Tribulations (10–12). Essay winners included Lucy Mann (Arapahoe Classical Magnet) for the 4–6 essay category, Amal Raj Anil Kumar (7–9) — who was also a winning artist this year — and Ashlyn Yarbrough (Pierce High School) for 10–12.

City staff said the winning essays and artworks will be reproduced in the June edition of Richardson Today and used in city communications. Parents and teachers attended the recognition; staff invited the council and audience to take a group photograph with winners at the conclusion of the presentation.

The presentation emphasized the contest’s goal of promoting diversity and inclusion and noted the program’s ongoing nature since 2021. Staff described outreach tactics including distribution of contest information to area school districts in October and use of city communications channels to encourage classroom participation and public awareness.

No council votes or formal actions were recorded as part of the recognition presentation.","City staff and judges recognized student winners across grade categories in essay and art contests tied to Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month. Winners will be published in the city’s Richardson Today publication.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eiseman Center proposes 2025–26 season, budget and a nonprofit fee-waiver pilot to expand community access

City staff previews 2025 Wildflower Arts & Music Festival; highlights volunteers, programming and new security measures

Richardson honors winners of MLK Jr. essay and Black History Month art contests