Just a few months ago, SiNaCa Studios Executive Director Clifton Crawford was excited to host a glass exhibit at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center next May, but as of July 24, those plans are on hold.
Earlier this week, Arts Fort Worth, the nonprofit that has managed the space at 1300 Gendy Street since 2002, announced it would no longer manage the building as of Aug. 1, 2025.
The 77,000-square-foot building itself was in need of $30 million in repairs, effectively making Arts Fort Worth responsible for the building’s maintenance.
“However, Arts Fort Worth lacked sufficient resources to meet this responsibility, and as a result, various portions of the building fell into disrepair,” city staff wrote in a 2023 report to the City Council.
Originally built for the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, stars like Zsa Zsa Gabor and Gordon MacRae were among the celebrities who gathered for the grand opening of Scott Theater and Solarium in 1966.
Over the years, the building has been known as the Fort Worth Art Center, the Fort Worth Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, which in 2002 moved to its imposing building on Darnell Street.
Next May, the space will host a glass exhibition to coincide with the International Glass Art Association conference at SiNaCa Studios here in Fort Worth and the University of Texas at Arlington.
This is one of many community art exhibitions that will have to find a new venue.
“I support Arts Fort Worth’s decision and stand ready to support them in any way I can!,” Crawford said in a message. “I invite everyone who has been moved by their work to speak up and speak out for their beliefs about how the arts are funded in our city!”
Crawford said he wasn’t surprised by the decision, having attended many of the public hearings and City Council meetings about the building.
Last year, the city accepted the developer’s proposal after a task force chaired by former City Councilman Leonard Firestone recommended in June 2023 that redevelopment, rather than renovating or repairing the dilapidated building, was the best path forward.
Garfield Public Private and Goldenrod Company responded to the call to reimagine the property as a “world-class cultural center,” presenting their plans at a public meeting, but neither company was approved.
“While these changes may come as a surprise or cause for concern, Arts Fort Worth has no intention of turning its back on the local arts community,” Arts Fort Worth executive director and president Wesley Gentle said in a statement. “We remain focused on leading the arts ecosystem into an even more accessible, sustainable and vibrant future.”
Crawford said he sensed great optimism in Gentle’s remarks and believes that with time, positive results and success stories will become apparent.
“From what I know about their situation and the financial challenges Sinaka has faced, I feel this outcome was inevitable,” Crawford added. “I think this was a bold, brave and classy move by Arts Fort Worth. Their leadership has done an incredible job facing such great financial challenges.”
Programming at the space won’t come to an abrupt end: instead, it will be gradually closed over the coming months, beginning with the original works series, biennial exhibitions, talks, and workshops on August 1 this year, although Fall Gallery Night and the Fringe Festival will go ahead.
“Ultimately, the repair, maintenance and care of this important 77,000-square-foot public facility has become a significant challenge and the costs of continuing to operate it are no longer sustainable,” Gentle said.
