In what is being hailed as a first-of-its kind undertaking, the city of Richardson and the Charles W. Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations are partnering with The School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication at the University of Texas at Dallas to create an innovative program called the Eisemann Edge Endowment Fund.

The fund was kick-started by a $250,000 donation from longtime Richardson community benefactors and civic leaders, Ann and Charles Eisemann.

“We very much like the goal of continuing to progress and lead the arts toward new and innovative discoveries as technology reshapes our senses, perceptions and reality.”
Ann and Charles Eisemann

It will give Richardson residents, area students, and the whole North Texas region “an opportunity to explore the intersection of technology with the visual and performing arts,” according to a news release from the city.

The Eisemanns said they hope the fund will foster future giving to stimulate the further growth of tech-based arts in the North Texas region.

“We very much like the goal of continuing to progress and lead the arts toward new and innovative discoveries as technology reshapes our senses, perceptions and reality,” the Eisemanns said in a joint statement. “We think this will help grow new artistic leadership and create something new that will last into the future and help the arts innovate over time.”

Eisemann Fund displays will be shaped by UTD students

The Eisemann Edge Endowment Fund will be a multiyear, interactive arts experience that will be profoundly shaped by UT Dallas students.

“We believe this program uniquely embodies Richardson’s pioneering embrace of technology, and how it can be used not only in the business world and everyday life, but also to enrich our arts and cultural experiences,” Richardson Mayor Paul Voelker said in a statement. “What we also love about this program is that it will showcase the creative talents of UT Dallas’ Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication students, while also providing educational outreach opportunities for Richardson students and inspiring generations of artists to come.”

The initiative builds on a strong partnership between the Eisemann Center and UT Dallas to provide opportunities for students to learn about different artistic offerings. It will incorporate various artistic genres in different venues of the Eisemann Center.

The first Eisemann Edge Endowment Fund installation will blend visual art with technology via cutting-edge projection equipment, and the combined powers of digital art, light, and 3D mapping. UT Dallas’ ATEC students will develop and conceptualize art for the exhibition, which will be accompanied by live music making use of the Eisemann Center lobby’s unique acoustic properties on March 6, 2020. The Eisemann Center opened in 2002.

“The School of ATEC is delighted to participate in this innovative arts program,” ATEC Dean Anne Balsamo said. “This program strongly aligns with ATEC’s emphasis on Emerging Media Arts and provides a unique showcase for faculty and student work. Our hope is to inspire community interest in the artistic possibilities of emerging technologies.”

The Eisemann Center houses three different venues: the Hill Performance Hall, Bank of America Theatre, and the Bank of America Hall.