How Dallas Arts Month is still taking place this year, even without the big fair

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Editor’s note: For Dallas Arts Month in April, this is one of a series of stories from The Dallas Morning News examining how North Texas artists and arts groups are coping and moving forward one year after the start of the pandemic.

Dallas Arts Month began in 2013, as Dallas Arts Week, during the administration of Dallas’ previous mayor, Mike Rawlings. It grew in popularity due in no small part to the annual Dallas Art Fair, which brought in thousands of people from all over the world to downtown.

But for the second year in a row, the Art Fair will not be held during April, as it had been in all other years before 2020. However, the Art Fair is hosting Dallas Gallery Day, an in-person event which will take place from noon to 8 p.m. on April 17. For details, please visit dallasartfair.com/dallasgalleryday.

The bigger question, of course, remains: Is Dallas Arts Month even taking place in 2021? The answer is yes.

Jennifer Scripps at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas.(Louis DeLuca / Staff Photographer)

Jennifer Scripps, director of the city’s Office of Arts and Culture, which some people know as OAC, promises “a lot of cool programming [in-person and virtual]. Some of the previous key events [such as the Nasher Prize] and such are still happening.” You can find details about the Nasher events at nashersculpturecenter.org.

In addition, Scripps says, her office is hosting Creative Conversation, which this year will be virtual and free. It takes place April 25, with the topic being “Arts and Justice,” which, Scripps said, “We felt was timely given the news of 2020.” Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot will be among those participating, as will Byron Sanders, the CEO of Big Thought.

“We have some wonderful free and outdoor arts showcases highlighting local groups as well,” says Scripps. They will be held at the outdoor Annette Strauss Square near the AT&T Performing Arts Center and also at the Fair Park Band Shell.