By
Erin Coulehan
Photography by
Jordan Licon
Photo assistants
Katherine Kocian and Annabella Mireles
Hair by
David Paul
Makeup by
Claudia Castillo
Location
St. Rogers Depot
The arts are more than just entertainment: they are a driving force behind education, economic growth, and cultural identity. Yet, at a time when fine arts programs in Texas schools are facing budget cuts, advocacy for creative education has never been more critical.
This April, over 70 members of Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) will gather in El Paso for their 19th annual meeting, uniting in their mission to support and sustain the arts across the state. Under the leadership of El Paso native Isha Rogers Santamaria, the meeting will not only highlight the transformative power of the arts but also showcase the city’s burgeoning cultural renaissance.
The Texas Cultural Trust is a powerhouse in preserving and promoting the arts in a state known for its rich cultural diversity. By championing programs like the Texas Medal of Arts Awards and Texas Young Masters, the Trust not only honors artistic excellence but actively invests in the next generation of creators.
Its “Art Can” initiative proves that the arts aren’t just about beauty, they’re an economic driver, fueling local businesses and tourism. At a time when arts funding often faces cuts, the Trust stands as a vital advocate, ensuring that Texas remains a thriving hub for creative expression, cultural heritage, and innovation.
For Santamaria, chairing this year’s meeting is an opportunity to highlight the vibrancy of El Paso’s cultural scene. As a preservationist dedicated to restoring historic properties with her husband, Steve Santamaria, she understands the power of place and history in shaping artistic expression.
Her personal journey with TWA began serendipitously, joining the organization alongside her sister, Dede, and discovering a network of women deeply invested in the arts.
“People tend to think of the arts as an afterthought,” Santamaria reflects. “People take art for granted because they only see the finished product. They don’t think about the work behind it – the effort, the process.”
This commitment to advocacy is at the core of TWA’s mission.
Established to support arts education at a time when school programs were being cut, the organization has grown into a formidable force for cultural philanthropy. Through its membership-based giving circle, TWA has allocated millions of dollars to arts initiatives, ensuring children across Texas – particularly in underserved and rural communities – have access to creative opportunities.
Currently, suburban schools offer 59 percent more arts courses than rural schools, and high-poverty schools have 29 percent fewer arts-certified teachers compared to wealthier schools. In Texas, this disparity means that while a rural school may offer only one visual arts class with a non-certified teacher, a suburban school could provide multiple courses in music, dance, and theater with highly trained educators.
Judy Robison, a longtime champion of the arts and 2021 recipient of the prestigious Donna Axum Whitworth Champion of the Arts Award, exemplifies the impact of TWA. As president of the El Paso Symphony Association and a key figure in the Texas Cultural Trust, Robison has played a vital role in securing funding for arts education.
Her leadership has helped advance initiatives like the Texas Young Masters program and expand grant-making efforts that benefit arts organizations statewide.
“I started 50 years ago in El Paso with the symphony and later got involved with the museum,” Robison recalls. “Over the past decade, we’ve given several million dollars to arts organizations across Texas. It’s a grant-based process; organizations submit applications, we review around 60 to 70 requests, and narrow it down to about 20 recipients. Based on the strength of each grant request, we allocate funds, typically awarding between $200,000 and $350,000 annually.”
Robison also emphasizes the importance of changing perceptions about El Paso.
“The first time we hosted the TWA, many people hesitated to come because they feared for their safety. It was a valuable lesson for them, they quickly realized El Paso is not a dangerous place. In fact, our relationship with Juárez is very friendly, and the kind of violence people associate with the border doesn’t happen here. El Paso is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the country.”
Tania Schwartz, a dedicated arts advocate and educational specialist, has spent decades working to ensure that children across Texas benefit from creative learning environments. Her work, which spans housing programs for women, arts education initiatives, and cultural advocacy, underscores the transformative power of the arts.
“We started 20 years ago, we’ve raised over $4 million and impacted 3.6 million children,” Schwartz shares. “Even though I’m not in a classroom, my work still aligns with that mission. We run six initiatives under the Texas Cultural Trust, all dedicated to arts access and sustainability. We push for parity and equity, ensuring our audience has access to the arts. That’s why we produced the State of the Arts Report, which provides a deep dive into how the arts impact the economy, education, health, and well-being.”
The data is striking.
Students involved in the arts are 46 percent more likely to pass Texas Success Initiative (TSI) criteria, twice as likely to meet AP/IB exam standards, and 20 percent more likely to earn college dual credit. A student participating in a high school band program, for example, develops discipline and focus, leading to improved test scores and college admissions success.
Schwartz, whose roots blend Mexican and Midwestern cultures, believes the Borderland’s artistic identity is one of its greatest strengths. “One of the most beautiful aspects of El Paso’s culture is our blend of traditions,” she says. “The arts, music, and dance have allowed my family to connect. Beyond that, the arts instill compassion and empathy.”
Despite the clear benefits of arts education, recent cuts to fine arts programs in local public school districts threaten students’ access to creative learning.
These cuts disproportionately impact students in low-income communities, where arts education is often the first to be eliminated when budgets tighten. Socorro Independent School District, for example, recently eliminated its elementary fine arts programs, leaving many students without opportunities to explore music, theater, and visual arts.
“When a district removes arts programs, it removes a vital outlet for student expression, creativity, and personal growth,” says Santamaria. “We’ve seen firsthand how access to the arts can change lives, and that’s why gatherings like this one are so important. We need to advocate for sustainable funding and policies that protect arts education in our schools.”
As El Paso experiences a cultural resurgence, the timing of TWA’s annual meeting in the city feels particularly significant. With new institutions like La Nube and the Mexican American Cultural Center enhancing the local landscape, El Paso is proving itself as a thriving arts hub. The recent installation of Leo Villareal’s “Star Ceiling” at the El Paso Museum of Art further cements its growing reputation as a city that values artistic excellence.
Beyond local impacts, the arts contribute significantly to Texas’ economy.
The creative sector employs nearly 960,000 people, with 1 in 14 jobs connected to the arts. The industry generates $7.3 billion in taxable sales and contributes $69.7 billion to the state’s GDP, supporting businesses and tourism. Cities like Austin, with its live music scene, attract millions of visitors annually, while cultural districts in 41 cities drive economic growth through state grants.
As the Texas Women for the Arts convene in El Paso this month, they do so with a shared mission to uplift the arts, empower young artists, and ensure that creative expression remains a cornerstone of Texas’ cultural identity. In a city that exemplifies resilience and artistic spirit, this year’s meeting will serve as both a celebration and a call to action for the future of the arts in Texas.
Santamaria sees this gathering as an opportunity to change perceptions and showcase the city’s evolving cultural landscape.
“We love showing off our city! We choose to live here – let us show you why.”
