Dallas, October 17, 2025
News Summary
TACA has announced Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith as the honorees for the Silver Cup Award at the upcoming annual luncheon. Scheduled to take place at the Omni Dallas Hotel, this premier event isn’t just a celebration, but a crucial fundraising initiative that supports the local arts community through grantmaking and professional development. Co-chaired by Lynn McBee and Terri West, the event highlights the contributions of significant arts advocates in North Texas.
Dallas — TACA has named Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith as the 2026 Silver Cup Award honorees. The awards will be presented at the 48th Annual TACA Silver Cup Luncheon, which is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
Lead details
The announcement identifies two longtime arts supporters and civic leaders as this year’s honorees. The luncheon is a premier fundraising event for the local arts community; proceeds from the luncheon will support TACA’s mission to strengthen the Dallas arts community through grantmaking and professional development. Lynn McBee and Terri West will co-chair the 2026 luncheon.
Honorees and roles
Nancy Carlson is praised for her dedicated support of Dallas’s visual and performing arts organizations. Her current affiliations include serving as a trustee for the Dallas Museum of Art and involvement with the Nasher Sculpture Center. She is a board member of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas Children’s Theater. Carlson also holds the title of trustee emerita of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law Foundation, and she is a former board chair of TACA with service on several arts organization boards.
Andy Smith is the Director of Giving and Volunteering for Texas Instruments and the Executive Director of the TI Foundation. Smith serves on multiple boards, including the All Angels Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas. Along with his husband Paul von Wupperfeld and Meagan LeBoissiere, Smith is co-chairing a $12M campaign for the Resource Center’s new health campus.
Significance of the Silver Cup Award
The TACA Silver Cup Award has been recognizing individuals for exceptional volunteerism, advocacy, and leadership in the arts since 1979. The award honors those who have made a lasting impact on North Texas’s cultural vitality and the arts community. The Silver Cup Luncheon remains a major annual event to raise operating funds and to spotlight volunteer leadership that supports local arts organizations.
Event purpose and fundraising
The luncheon is intended to raise proceeds to support TACA’s ongoing programs. Proceeds from the luncheon will support TACA’s mission to strengthen the Dallas arts community through grantmaking and professional development. Ticket, table, and sponsorship information for the event will be available in early 2026.
Organizational impact and reach
TACA’s work is directed at stabilizing and strengthening arts organizations across the region. TACA has invested in over 60 arts organizations in North Texas to optimize the community’s cultural vibrancy. The Silver Cup Luncheon functions both as recognition of individual leaders and as a practical fundraising vehicle to maintain grants and training for nonprofit arts groups.
Logistics
- Event: 48th Annual TACA Silver Cup Luncheon
- Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
- Location: Omni Dallas Hotel
- Co-chairs: Lynn McBee and Terri West
- Honorees: Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith
- Ticket details: Ticket, table, and sponsorship information for the event will be available in early 2026.
Background
The Silver Cup Award program has recognized arts volunteers and leaders for decades, highlighting individuals whose sustained service and leadership have helped shape the cultural landscape. The award emphasizes volunteerism, advocacy, and leadership as essential drivers of a resilient arts ecosystem. TACA distributes funds and offers professional development to arts groups, and the annual luncheon is one of its central fundraising activities.
FAQ
Who are the 2026 Silver Cup Award honorees?
TACA has named Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith as the 2026 Silver Cup Award honorees.
When and where will the 48th Annual TACA Silver Cup Luncheon take place?
The luncheon is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026. The event will take place at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
Who is co-chairing the 2026 luncheon?
Lynn McBee and Terri West will co-chair the 2026 luncheon.
What will the luncheon proceeds support?
Proceeds from the luncheon will support TACA’s mission to strengthen the Dallas arts community through grantmaking and professional development.
When will ticket information be available?
Ticket, table, and sponsorship information for the event will be available in early 2026.
How many arts organizations has TACA invested in?
TACA has invested in over 60 arts organizations in North Texas to optimize the community’s cultural vibrancy.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Honorees | Nancy Carlson; Andy Smith |
| Event | 48th Annual TACA Silver Cup Luncheon |
| Date | Friday, May 8, 2026 |
| Location | Omni Dallas Hotel |
| Co-chairs | Lynn McBee; Terri West |
| Ticket info | Ticket, table, and sponsorship information for the event will be available in early 2026. |
| Use of proceeds | Proceeds from the luncheon will support TACA’s mission to strengthen the Dallas arts community through grantmaking and professional development. |
| TACA investments | TACA has invested in over 60 arts organizations in North Texas to optimize the community’s cultural vibrancy. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- My Sweet Charity: 2026 TACA Silver Cups Honorees
- Wikipedia: TACA
- Dallas Innovates: TACA 2025 Silver Cup Award
- Google Search: TACA Silver Cup Award
- People Newspapers: TACA Silver Cup Award Luncheon
- Google Scholar: TACA Silver Cup Award
- Dallas News: TACA Silver Cup Award Presentation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: TACA
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