North Texas Business Council for the Arts (North Texas BCA) recently launched the inaugural Collin County class of the Leadership Arts Institute, a program designed to develop the next successful generation of business leaders for the arts.

“We want to help businesses and arts organizations learn how to start a dialogue about the importance of arts in everyday life,” said Katherine Wagner, CEO of North Texas BCA.

The program, which started its nine-month course in September, brings a mix of arts and business leaders together in Collin County at various arts venues each month, with the goal of working collaboratively as a group with the Plano Arts District to showcase the arts sector as a viable partner for local businesses.

“It really showcases the arts venues that are here and gives a resource to those businesses that want to give back to the arts and participate in the arts in the community,” said Michele Hawkins, administrator of arts, culture and heritage for the city.