From the Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas:

"CADD FUND is a fun, fast paced event of sharing innovative ideas about potential artistic projects that will make possible a high-impact idea that needs the support of the DFW arts community.

Since 2014, CADD has hosted six exciting events surrounding the annual CADD FUND. During the event, the finalists present short proposals for original and yet-to-be-realized new projects. Members of the audience have an opportunity to ask questions and then vote for their favorite project. The finalist with the most votes is declared the winner!

The 2020 CADD FUND was set to take place in April, though due to Covid-19, the in-person event was postponed and has been re-configured to a live virtual event that will take place on Sunday afternoon, January 17, 2021.

With the money for the prize being funded by generous donors rather than ticket sales as in previous years, the event will be free to all to watch and vote, which we hope will energize and bring together our North Texas art community. This year, in addition to the cash prize, the winner will also receive an exhibition opportunity to help realize their project. While CADD FUND is about raising much-needed cash, we hope that it will also be a forum to discuss the many other needs and resources that help make projects happen.

CADD FUND 2021 will be awarded to a current or previous B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., or Ph.D. (in a related field) graduate or candidate from an institution within 100 miles of Dallas.

CADD FUND 2021 FINALISTS:

Christopher Wright Evans - MFA Candidate, UNT

Stephanie Gerhart - MFA Candidate, UNT

Jihye Han - MFA Candidate, UNT

Abby Pfaff - BFA, UNT 2019

Shayna Sutton - BFA Candidate, UTA

Audrey Travis - MFA, TCU, 2019

The finalists below have been selected from over 25 submissions, by three esteemed jurors; Katherine Brodbeck – Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Dallas Museum of Art; Kristen Gaylord – Assistant Curator of Photographs, Amon Carter Museum of American Art; and Frank Hettig – Director of Modern and Contemporary Art, Heritage Auctions

Last year’s winner, Melissa Gamez-Herrera, will also give a short presentation. Gamez-Herrera is a visual artist who investigates and grapples with issues of human rights, humanity, spirituality and identity through her artwork, primarily using photography as a medium. She earned a BA in Art and Art History from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, and will earn an MFA in Photography at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX in 2020.

Special Thanks to Judy Vetter, Karen Weiner, Gail Sachson, and Andrea Perez

for their support of CADD FUND 2021."