Best Day Ever

5 reasons Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival should be on your must-do list

Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson is one of the top art events in the United States.

Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Art Festival

Whether you’re an art newbie looking to launch a collection or you’re already an avid collector, Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival, May 7-8, is a can’t-miss event. The two-day semiannual show (the second event is the first full weekend in October) is free to the public and showcases artists from around the world. It also happens to be held in a scenic park setting and offers a stellar lineup of live entertainment.

Here are the top five reasons you should be adding it to your must-attend list:

1. The art is curated and selected by a jury, making it top-notch (i.e., not just anyone can show up and sell handicrafts). This year, 240 artists were selected from the 720 who submitted work for consideration in 14 categories, including 3D mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, leather, painting, photography, and sculpture.

2. The location is superb. Cottonwood Park is a scenic space dotted with a quaint little lake, complete with ducks (always a win with the kiddos). In general, the festival itself isn’t overcrowded, so you can actually see the art and navigate your way around without feeling like a fish swimming upstream.

3. New as of last year is a special craft beer garden, which features 13 beers on tap from some of the most popular local breweries in the area. (Word to the wise: Do your shopping before you imbibe.)

4. It’s family-friendly (remember the ducks?), and it offers an interactive kids’ area called ArtStop, where the little ones can draw, paint, sculpt, and do pretty much anything else creative all in the name of art. Dozens of activities are available, from chiseling plaster and playing with a potter’s wheel to painting a pint-size masterpiece. It’s the perfect way to find out if you have a budding Picasso on your hands.

5. After you’ve had your fill of art, you can stop by the lakeside courtyard and catch some stellar live entertainment. Blues, jazz, country, rock, swing — you name it, and, most likely, there will be a band performing it. This year’s lineup includes the Gypsy Playboys, Texas Flood, Marc Toussaint, and Riders Ford, among others.

Budget Cuts

Funding cuts force Dallas Children's Theater to trim 2025-26 season

Dallas Children's Theater presents James and the Giant Peach

Photo courtesy of Dallas Children's Theater

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The upcoming 2025-26 season for Dallas Children's Theater is shrinking, according to a new communication from its leadership.

A June 2 email signed by executive director Samantha Turner, board president Leah Mora, and recently appointed artistic director Emily Ernst informs supporters that due to "the significant financial challenges of the current environment," DCT will be reducing the upcoming season from five mainstage shows to three.

The email doesn't specifically call out the government's cuts to arts funding, but it is heavily implied, especially since other theaters have recently experienced financial difficulties due to the federal cuts.

"We remain deeply committed to artistic excellence and to the 90,000 young people and families we serve annually," reads the email. "Though we will have fewer performances, we will continue to provide meaningful theatrical experiences that inspire children, nurture their imagination, and encourage connection with the world around them."

The 2025-26 will retain the previously announced world premiere of The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! (November 22-December 21, 2025), as well as The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (January 24-February 22, 2026) and Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey (March 27-29, 2026), and add a new developmental workshop envisioned by Ernst.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and Jungalbook will no longer be produced, and ticket-holders will be receiving instructions on ticket options.

DCT Academy classes, a vital part of the theater’s work, will continue through the summer, concluding August 8. After that, Academy sessions will be temporarily paused. Families enrolled for the fall semester will receive a separate email with next steps.

"Although our performances are well attended and our community support is strong, ticket sales cover only a small portion of the true cost of producing theater," the email explains. "At the same time, our operating costs have steadily increased while funding levels have remained flat. This financial pressure requires immediate action to keep DCT viable — not just for this season, but for the years ahead."

Tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now.

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