Donate
There are many ways you can help the Port Aransas Art Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations of all sizes are welcome and appreciated! The greater your gift, the more you will help sustain the continued annual operations of the Art Center. For organizational information, see our GuideStar gold seal profile.
Or send a check made payable to Port Aransas Art Center to
P.O. Box 1175, Port Aransas, Texas 78373
Why Support the Arts?
The Port Aransas Art Center has been providing quality art instruction, exhibitions, support to the artist community, and related activities since 1995. The Art Center was formed by a group of artists who wanted to provide a place where artists and art lovers could gather, and to encourage, educate and support one another in a pleasant gallery and classroom setting where fine art could be produced and presented for sale. In April 1997, the Port Aransas Art Center was granted its official IRS designation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The Port Aransas Art Center is mindful of its role in sustaining the quality of life of Port Aransas, surrounding communities, and the State of Texas as a whole.
“Texas’ Arts and Culture Industry promotes innovation and long-term growth, and generates $5.5 billion per year in taxable sales, contributing more than 343.7 million in state sales tax revenue in 2015. This impact on the statewide economy has grown
steadily since 2005, increasing 25.1 percent over the past 10 years. Beyond revenue from state taxes, these sectors generate millions for local taxing entities including cities and economic development organizations whose funding comes from local sales tax revenue.”
Did You Know?
- The Texas Arts and Culture Industry has grown more than 15% over the past decade, generating $5.59 billion for the Texas economy and nearly $350 million in state sales tax revenue in 2017.
- Tourists are drawn to arts and culture attractions in Texas. On average, arts and culture tourists stay longer, bring more people, and spend more money than non-culture tourists.
- Arts education prepares the 21st century workforce by developing creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration. The creative sector in Texas employs nearly 800,000 innovation workers, which represents one in 15 jobs. Average annual earnings for some creative sector occupations (see pages 12-13) are almost double those of workers in non-creative sector jobs.
- In a 2018 survey, 84% of Texas voters agree that the arts are a very important part of a student’s education, and 73% favor increased state funding for the arts in Texas public schools.
- Across all grade levels, students enrolled in arts courses attend school more regularly. High school students experience the greatest impact with a 3.3% greater attendance rate, the equivalent of an additional week of school each year. Students who complete more arts courses have up to 15% higher pass rates on standardized tests than students with fewer arts courses.
- The arts and creative arts therapies are demonstrating the ability to improve a patient’s overall health outcomes, treatment, and quality of life. Institutions across Texas are leveraging the power of the arts to improve health and well-being for patients, families, and caregivers.
- 80% of Texas voters support increased funding for the arts in schools.