Thea Foundation

Supporting Arts Education Across Arkansas

Programs Support Events

THEA FOUNDATION TO RECEIVE BENEFIT OF $7.9 MILLION GIFT ESTABLISHED AT ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Thea Foundation is proud to announce a transformative $7.9 million gift from Windgate Foundation — the largest investment in Thea Foundation’s history. This milestone contribution includes the establishment of a $7.5 million endowment by Windgate at the Arkansas Community Foundation to provide long-term support for Thea’s Art Closet and Arts Reconstruction programs. In addition, Windgate Foundation has awarded a $300,000 grant to fund these two initiatives while the invested endowment funds begin generating earnings, along with a $100,000 matching grant to bolster Thea’s operating capacity.

Learn More

2024/2025 Thea Foundation Impact Report

Thanks to your support, 2024/2025 was a very impactful year for teachers and students across Arkansas. Click here to read about the accomplishments you made possible!

2024/2025 Impact Report

Impacting Students Through the Power of the Arts

Carrying on the legacy of Thea Leopoulos, who thrived academically, socially and
emotionally thanks to her artistic pursuits, Thea Foundation’s mission is to motivate K-
12 students through involvement in the arts and advocate for the inclusion of arts
programming in public schools.

Our beneficiaries are students and teachers of all ages
and backgrounds that share a common theme- their lives have been positively impacted
because of their exposure to the arts.

Designed to fill the void left in underfunded school budgets, and to help youth find
confidence, self-worth and perspective through creative expression, Thea Foundation brings our
mission to life through three programs that benefit Arkansas students and teachers-
Thea’s Scholarships, Thea’s Art Closet and Arts Reconstruction.

Thea Foundation Scholarships

Thea scholarships are awarded solely on talent, never on test scores, GPAs or intent to major in the arts. That means that whether you want to be a ballet dancer or a biochemist, your Thea scholarship is applicable. Since 2001, Thea Foundation has given more than $3.4 million in scholarships to hard working Arkansas students.
Scholarships

Thea's Art Closet

To date, Thea’s Art Closet has given more than $3.1 million in art supplies to hundreds of underfunded schools across the state, making the arts accessible for students in high-poverty areas and to classrooms with little-to-no budget for art supplies and other creative materials.
Thea’s Art Closet

Arts Reconstruction

A program born out of the need to equip Arkansas art teachers with basic material, has grown to offer advanced professional development opportunities to high school art teachers excited to advance their knowledge base in various media and see their students explore new creative ventures.
Arts Reconstruction

Donors like you are the reason Thea Foundation continues to make a measurable impact in arts education across Arkansas. What began as one family’s response to tragedy has grown to impact thousands of students and teachers across the state through the power of the arts. Each year, Thea provides $220,000 in scholarships for higher education, supports hundreds of teachers through materials and advanced medium trainings, and provides hundreds of classrooms with supplies for exceptional creative learning opportunities.

Give Now to support vibrant communities and classrooms

Long-term, we envision a culture of creativity on display in every K-12 school in Arkansas; where students have constant, diversified exposure to creative expression and enriched learning opportunities with access to inspiring places, great equipment, materials, instruction and encouragement. Your support ensures that this vision will become a reality.

Give Now