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Friday, March 28, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Honoring those who have made significant contributions to the arts in Fort Worth.
The Heart of Gold Awards is special event to focus on community leaders who have made a difference in the arts community. Each honoree shares our values of integrity and inclusivity, and their impact through the arts helps make Fort Worth a vibrant and welcoming community. 
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The Heart of Gold Awards Celebration raises funds to meet the needs of our community by granting dollars and creating programming, employing artists and designers through public art projects, and bringing the community together to experience emerging and established visual artists and theater and dance performances. ​
GINGER HEAD-GEARHEART | Heart of Gold Award
Ginger Head-Gearheart has devoted much of her life to teaching and promoting the arts and developing arts education programs for schools and communities. She has worked at local, state and national levels on innovative arts programs for international arts and cultural institutions. Among her many successes is the nationally recognized nonprofit organization Imagination Celebration Fort Worth, a program she developed in collaboration with community arts and cultural leaders and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and has become a model for other Kennedy Center programs and is hailed by numerous state national organizations, as well as by the Department of Education.
ESTRUS TUCKER | Advocate for the Arts Award
Estrus Tucker has served two full terms as a City of Fort Worth Public Art Commissioner and the past five years as the Chair. Estrus has tirelessly advocated for Public Art and gave voice to the inspiring work of local artists, art advocates, arts organizations, and Arts Fort Worth. Under his leadership the Art Commission launched a new Community Partnership Projects Initiative, expanded artist listening sessions to hear firsthand issues and ideas, and led Town Halls to engage our robustly diverse public.
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As a local and national leader, facilitator, and advocate for civil dialogue, Estrus has championed the the arts invaluable community engagement process, and worked collaboratively to advance Fort Worth Public Art’s efforts of inclusion, cultural equity, and diversity of the pool of emerging and established public artists, and communities. Estrus wholeheartedly believes that Public Art and Public Artists matter because Art is for everyone.
EMERGING LEADERS IN THE ARTS
This award aims to shine a spotlight on exceptional individuals who's remarkable talents, dedication, and unique perspectives are making a profound impact on the arts in Fort Worth. For more than ten years, Arts Fort Worth's Heart of Gold awards have recognized individuals who have made life-long contributions to the arts. At this year’s Heart of Gold luncheon, we’ll recognize Emerging Leaders in the Arts.
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Through this award, Arts Fort Worth aims to inspire and empower these individuals to continue blazing new trails, inspire others, and shape the future of the arts for future generations. The Emerging Leaders in the Arts Award is part of a continuing initiative by Arts Fort Worth so please join us in celebrating the honor the visionary artists, arts administrators, educators, community advocates, and philanthropists who are making Fort Worth a vibrant city.
JESSE BORRIES
Philanthropy
AYESHA GANGULY
Arts Administrator
WESLEY KIRK
Community Advocacy
DR. STEPHANIE LOVE
Education
ARMOND VANCE
Working Artist/Perfomer/Writer
Previous Heart of Gold Recipients
2022 | Louise Appleman & Ginny Tigue
2021 | Bill and Pam Campbell
2020 | The Fort Worth Arts Community
2019 | Rosalyn G. Rosenthal
2018 | Deborah Jung
2017 | Larry And Karen Anfin
2016 | Frost Bank
2015 | Willa Dunleavy
2014 | Mac Churchill | Juana Rosa Daniell
2013 | Louise Britt Carvey | Val Wilkie Jr.
Previous Lifetime Achievement
in the Arts Recipients
2019 | Margo Dean
2018 | Paul Paine
2017 | John Giordano
2016 | Ben Stevenson, O.b.e.
2015 | Miguel Harth-Bedoya
2014 | Sharon Benge
2013 | Darren Woods (Innovator In The Arts)
2022 HONOREES LOUISE APPLEMAN AND GINNY TIGUE
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The Heart of Gold Awards Luncheon wouldn't exist if not for the vision and passion of 2022's honorees, Louise Appleman and Ginny Tigue. Ten years ago, these two incredible women saw an opportunity to bring together others who are passionate about the arts for an event which would support the arts at a greater level in Fort Worth- and the Heart of Gold Luncheon was born! Louise and Ginny are leaders whose impact continues to benefit Fort Worth in far-reaching ways.
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Arts Fort Worth is celebrating the tenth anniversary of this exciting event which continues the original mission of bringing together those who appreciate the arts from across Fort Worth. Your support of this event will positively impact the arts across all levels.
2021 HONOREES BILL AND PAM CAMPBELL
As founders of the William Campbell Contemporary Art Gallery, the Campbells made an indelible mark on the arts in Fort Worth and through the years nurtured the careers of dozens of talented young artists, many of whom have been with the gallery for decades. Attendees of the Arts Council’s 2021 Heart of Gold Luncheon celebrated the extraordinary impact of Bill and Pam Campbell on the arts of Fort Worth on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. The Campbells are part of a Heart of Gold legacy honoring those who make the performing and visual arts in Fort Worth a quintessential part of this city's identity.
Honoring Rosalyn G. Rosenthal as the
2019 Heart of Gold Recipient
Honoring Margo Dean with the
2019 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award
Arts Fort Worth is thrilled to announce the inaugural Arts Forward, a city-wide arts summit, preceded by a Heart of Gold reception the evening before.
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Arts Forward is bringing together industry leaders, artists, performers, creatives, community advocates, and policymakers for an inspiring day of connection. Whether you're looking to explore the impact of the arts on community, health, and education, gather resources from arts organizations, or simply immerse yourself in the arts, this is an event you won't want to miss. Be sure to secure your ticket today!