Thea Foundation Gets $7.5M Gift from Windgate Foundation

(Thea Foundation)

The Thea Foundation, a North Little Rock nonprofit that advocates for the inclusion of arts programming in public schools, announced it has received a $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation.

The endowment supports Thea’s Art Closet and Arts Reconstruction programs. The former program provides arts supplies to hundreds of schools across Arkansas. The latter provides professional development opportunities to high school art teachers.

“At a time when public education and the arts face ongoing challenges in Arkansas, Windgate’s support provides a vital foundation for students and educators across the state,’ the Thea Foundation said in a statement. “We are honored that Windgate believes so deeply in our mission, programming, and impact—and has chosen to help secure our place in the future of Arkansas education”

Little Rock-based Windgate has provided funding to the Thea Foundation for 15 years. The nonprofit’s support has grown from three $1,000 scholarships to 36 valued at nearly $219,000 annually, according to the Thea Foundation website.

Windgate has also provided $3.1 million worth of creative materials for public school classrooms across Arkansas and $2 million in professional development and supplies for central Arkansas art teachers.

“Thanks to Windgate, powerful moments of creativity, discovery, and self-expression are happening every day in schools throughout Arkansas,” the Thea Foundation said. “We’re deeply grateful for their belief in us and for helping build the strong foundation we stand on today.”