The Arts Community Alliance (TACA) distributed $753,000 in grants to local arts organizations at a reception Monday. The announcement and celebration of the grants was held in the lobby of One Arts Plaza.

TACA’s grants are normally earmarked for performing arts groups. For the first time, visual arts organizations also received funding.  Recipients included The Nasher Sculpture Center ($25,000), Dallas Museum of Art ($25,000), and Dallas Contemporary ($21,000).

Volunteers evaluated the grant applicants based on artistic excellence; innovation and originality; support of local artists and local creation; engagement and access to all Dallas County residents; and financial and administrative stewardship. The 54 volunteers observed 2,600 hours of performances by grant applicants.

“This year TACA has placed a priority on funding organizations that are excelling in their missions and most closely align with our five evaluative criteria,” said Tara Lewis, TACA’s grants committee chair.

A total of 48 organizations received money. The largest grants were awarded to Dallas Children’s Theater ($50,000), Dallas Black Dance Theater ($47,000) and The Dallas Opera ($42,000). Last year, TACA gave $700,000.

Grants of $5,000 was awarded to fourteen organizations including Voices of Change, Lumedia Musicworks, and the Irving Symphony Orchestra.

“Similarly, it’s important that we make early investments in young, artistic entrepreneurs,” said Lewis. “Our awards to Lumedia Musicworks and American Baroque Opera exemplify that philosophy, as do grants to organizations like Cry Havoc Theater Company and Dark Circles Contemporary Dance.”