THUMB AWARD PARTNERS TO THE ARTS

Thumbs Up to the Dallas Park and Recreation Board for taking a tough stand when it recommended awarding $66,748 in grants to six arts groups that submitted what the board thinks are superior programs tor encouraging participa-tion of minority artists and arts organizations. The Dallas County Heritage Society, the Dallas Historical Society, the Dallas Civic Garden Center, New Arts Theater, the Afro-American Artists Alliance and the Dallas Ballet Association all received money from the city’s new Minority Arts Partnership Program. Park Board President Billy Allen said that he was disappointed that major arts institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Symphony Association and the Dallas Opera did not have proposals that were up to par with the board’s expectations. Those groups will have another shot at the money the next time the grants are offered.