Mike Newman

During a reception in the home of Sue de Mille Minyard and Jim Minyard, Arts of Collin County executive director Mike SImpson urged the community to support the highly anticipated 2,100-seat performing and visual arts hall to be nestled in a 124-acre park off Hwy. 121, east of Custer Road. View a Slideshow

Through a cooperative effort between the cities of Allen, Frisco and Plano, $57 million in public bond monies have been designated for Phase 1. Around $15 million in private donations is still needed.

Jim Minyard was appointed last April to the Arts of Collin County Commission Board of Directors. He and his wife, Sue de Mille Minyard, are strong supporters of the Arts of Collin County. “I have personally enjoyed the performing arts over the years," said Jim. "I have been fortunate to see the positive impact on my children and how they have benefitted from an early exposure to music and theater."

The Arts of Collin County Board of Directors was recently expanded from five members to seven with two members representing each of the three owner cities and one at-large member, a seat which remains vacant. Board members include Bobby Baggett and Dr. Betty Muns of Plano, Steve Matthews and Charles Nies of Allen, and Nick Barretta and Jim Minyard of Frisco.