Texas Women for the Arts Honors Linda LaMantia with 2024 Champion of the Arts Award

by Texas Cultural Trust

Laredo-based artist, arts advocate and philanthropist honored for exceptional commitment to expanding arts education in Texas 

AUSTIN, TX [MAY 15, 2024] – The Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT) proudly announced  Linda LaMantia of Laredo as the recipient of the 2024 Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) Donna Axum Whitworth Champion of the Arts Award.

Texas Women for the Arts is a statewide giving circle and membership program under the Texas Cultural Trust aims to increase access to the arts for all Texas children. Since its establishment in 2005, TWA has awarded over $4.3 million to more than 400 arts organizations across the state, impacting nearly 3.7 million children statewide.

The Donna Axum Whitworth Champion of the Arts Award is presented annually to a TWA member who has made significant contributions to the arts within their communities and across Texas. Their efforts in support of the arts embody the mission and vision of the program. Linda LaMantia, distinguished for her extensive service and generosity from a pool of over 230 TWA members.

“As a testament to her belief in the transformative power of the arts, Linda has consistently advocated for arts education and access,” says TXCT CEO, Heidi Marquez Smith. “Her philanthropic endeavors, including longtime service as a board member of the Texas Cultural Trust to her support of the STARS Scholarship Foundation and her alma mater, Texas A&M University demonstrate her commitment to nurturing artistic talent and fostering cultural enrichment. She is beyond deserving of this recognition.”

“Through Texas Women for the Arts, we have the privilege to extend the reach of the arts to children that may otherwise not have access, offering avenues for academic success, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing,” says Linda LaMantia, Texas Cultural Trust Board Member and 2024 Champion of the Arts Awardee. “I am so proud to be a member of the Texas Women for the Arts and so humbled to receive the Champion of the Arts Award.”

Linda LaMantia joins a distinguished group of previous recipients, including the late Donna Axum Whitworth (Ft. Worth), Patsy Donosky (Dallas), Debbie Montford (San Antonio), Ginger Blanton (Houston), Joci Straus (San Antonio), Sandra Gilliland (Amarillo), Dian Graves Stai (Fredericksburg), Gene Jones (Dallas), the late Jeanie Wyatt (San Antonio), Nancy Dedman (Dallas), Judy Robison (El Paso), Leslie Blanton (Houston) and Leslie Ward (Austin).

For more information on the Texas Cultural Trust or Texas Women for the Arts, visit TXCulturalTrust.org.

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About Texas Cultural Trust
Texas Cultural Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts, and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state. For more information on the Texas Cultural Trust, please visit www.txculturaltrust.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
APC Collective
tct@apccollective.com

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