In the days of da Vinci, Shakespeare and Mozart, the role of arts patron was played by princes, popes and potentates.  Today, the mantle of arts supporter is more frequently worn by business leaders and corporations; men and women who realize that our cultural assets are important tools for strengthening economic development, community sustainability and human relations.  Business leaders realize that among the hallmarks of a successful city are the sculpture, murals, writing, architecture and music left behind to tell the story of commercial and economic achievement.

To ensure that legacy, the Dallas Business Committee for the Arts (DBCA) was founded in 1988 by business, corporate and industry patrons as a nonprofit arts advocacy organization.  These leaders pledged their money, volunteers and company resources to improve the quality of life and foster economic development through the arts.  The agency changed its name to Business Council for the Arts (BCA) in November 2009.   

BCA members know that a strong, diverse cultural base is essential to the region's competitiveness in attracting new businesses, a strong workforce, tourism and the brightest minds here. To that end, the BCA mission is to create strong business/arts partnerships to build world-class communities where people want to live, work, and grow.