We are gathering in Austin this year, women from all across the Lone Star state, who have pooled our own money to give it away in grants. It's Texas Women for the Arts, affiliated with the Texas Cultural Trust. The aim is to foster and support art for the children of Texas...hands on art and art education, appreciation, ability...by putting our own money out there, where and when other private or public support fails.
It might be providing musical instruments to programs for students who can't afford them, or underwriting projects that teach photography, drama, writing. Since inception in 2005, TWA has awarded more than $1.7 million to 99 programs, affecting more than 1 million Texas children.
Not bad for a few hundred women, meeting once a year.