The Twenty-Third Annual Obelisk Awards Luncheon took place November 2, 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas.
The Obelisk Awards, established in 1989, publicly recognize and honor businesses and business leaders in North Texas whose support makes a significant impact on the region’s arts and cultural growth.
Browse photos from the 2011 event >>
2012 Nomination Form>>
2011 Obelisk Award Winners
Ron Whitehead
City Manager, Town of Addison
Nominated by Craft Guild of Dallas and WaterTower Theatre
Ron Whitehead envisions the Town of Addison as a place where art is an accessible, integral part of daily life. Under his leadership, the Town of Addison has become a home town and cultural destination that actively embraces art in its many forms as an important part of its civic identity. He has been the key catalyst in bringing local businesses to the arts as partners. He believes in the power of the arts to enrich the lives of citizens, and its power to economically enhance his community as well. For thirty years, Ron Whitehead’s expansive vision has brought artful living to the people of Addison and the rest of the area.
Nominated for Arts Leadership.
RD2, Inc.
Nominated by Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Through a dedicated collaboration, RD2, Inc. worked closely with the Asian Film Festival of Dallas to provide a completely new look for its 2010 festival’s website. RD2 worked with the festival board to identify the needs and integrate its design ideas into a fully-functional website. During festival week, thousands of festival goers, critics, filmmakers and press use the website to review the Festival’s programs, schedules and to purchase tickets. The 2010 Festival website received rave reviews and RD2 is continuing the partnership for 2011. RD2 is exceptionally professional and far exceeds all expectations.
Nominated for New Initiatives – Small Business.
Dallas Cowboys Football Club – The Jerry Jones Family
Nominated by the University of Texas at Arlington
When Jerry Jones and his family first envisioned a new home for the Dallas Cowboys, their dream was as big as Texas itself. From the beginning, they set out to create much more than just a football stadium. Their passion led them to create a great architectural icon – a place that embodies sheer excellence in architecture, design, technology, engineering – and art. The family’s commitment to achieve the highest levels of excellence in all that they do is perhaps best exhibited in their decision to integrate a worldclass art collection into the design of Cowboys Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys and Cowboys Stadium are family businesses, and the stunning art collection reflects both the intimacy of a personal vision and the grandeur of a memorable public space. Their unwavering commitment to the community was that the great works of art would be intrinsic to Cowboys Stadium – to be enjoyed by all who pass through its enormous doors.
Nominated for New Initiatives – Midsize Business.
Gene Jones KERA Uniting Commerce and Culture audio>>
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Nominated by Dallas Black Dance Theatre
Wells Fargo joined Dallas Black Dance Theatre in an unprecedented collaboration of arts and banking, sure to be a benchmark in developing future partnerships between banking and the arts. Wells Fargo served as presenting sponsor of Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Cultural Awareness Series. It was creative in finding an additional way to broaden the visibility of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Through enhanced ATM technology, the Dallas/Fort Worth Wells Fargo Regional Marketing Group was able to work with the Theatre’s marketing department to advertise Cultural Awareness Series performances on more than 140 Wells Fargo ATMs in the Dallas area. After the ATM screens were launched, Wells Fargo received a request to make the same marketing opportunity available to another notfor- profit. The work served as a model for a new marketing paradigm allowing Wells Fargo to help promote the work of community service organizations in the area.
Nominated for New Initiatives – Large Business.
SullivanPerkins
Nominated by Kitchen Dog Theater
In 2008, Sullivan Perkins formalized long-term support for Kitchen Dog Theater by donating services to overhaul and unify all marketing collateral, from season brochure to website, from banner to postcard. The entire SullivanPerkins team collaborated with Kitchen Dog to reflect the unique artistic sensibility of the Theater. The overhaul exploded the capability to showcase the brand and added available space for seasonal information. The newly crafted visuals and tightened efficiency trimmed printing expenses by more than 22 percent while simultaneously increasing sales by 14 percent. This in turn allowed for the continuation of outreach programs, such as PUP Fest for disadvantaged youth and ticket affordability programs. SullivanPerkins’ generous donation of award-wining material put Kitchen Dog Theater front and center in both design and theater circles.
Nominated for Arts Partnership – Small Business.
Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P.
Nominated by Creative Arts Center of Dallas
Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal’s support and stewardship has helped further the mission of the Creative Arts Center of Dallas by providing a nurturing environment for people to discover, develop and express their artistic visions. As a major sponsor of the Center’s annual fundraiser, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal’s help has significantly added to the fundraising capabilities of the Center. These funds help the Creative Arts Center fulfill its mission and grow its membership and student base, bringing art to more people across North Texas. Although the Center is 45 years old, its relationship with Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal is still young. Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal is a great asset to the Creative Arts Center as an advocate, donor, sponsor and friend.
Nominated for Arts Partnership – Midsize Business.
Texas Instruments
Nominated by Dallas Black Dance Theatre
Texas Instruments has partnered with Dallas Black Dance Theatre for more than 10 years. Texas Instruments’ support enabled Dallas Black Dance Theatre to launch its inaugural season performing as a resident company of the AT&T Performing Arts Center Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre. More than 2,000 patrons were served through five public performances and two student matinee programs were added for schoolchildren from six area schools. Additionally, Dallas Black Dance Theatre has been able to acquire nationally recognized work for performance to expanded audiences, which has received critical media acclaim.
Nominated for Arts Partnership – Large Business.
Capital One Bank
Nominated by Dallas Wind Symphony
When the Dallas Wind Symphony launched its Invitational Windband Festival in 2007, it was looking for sponsors that wanted to support school band programs in Dallas and the surrounding region. They found that partner in Capital One Bank. Since 2008, Capital One Bank has served as the title sponsor of the Invitational Windband Festival. As a partner, Capital One Bank has not only allowed the Dallas Wind Symphony to grow this program to reach new schools, it has helped them promote the program by encouraging bank employees to attend. Most significantly, Capital One Bank genuinely believes in the importance of music programs to education, and truly understands how vital it is for the corporate sector to be involved in a wide range of community improvement programs.
Nominated for Arts Education.
Jennifer Junker, President, John F. Clark Company
Nominated by Trinity River Audubon Center
Jennifer Junker is an example for all business leaders and the Trinity River Audubon Center is fortunate to have earned her support. She is an invaluable member of the Stewardship Board, actively attends events and leads programs, contributes both personal and corporate time and money. In addition, she volunteers at the front desk of the center on a weekly basis. Above all – her drive for excellence and quality is always challenging us to improve and expand Trinity River Audubon Center’s offerings and services. Jennifer Junker makes Trinity River Audubon Center a better organization – thereby making Dallas a better place.
Nominated for Arts Leadership.
Download the 2011 Obelisk Awards program!
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Honoring 23 Years of Business/Arts Partnerships. VIEW THE PROGRAM NOW. |
