MillHouse Foundation

MillHouse is a sisterhood of two nonprofit corporations: 501(c)(3) MillHouse Foundation and 501(c)(6) MillHouse McKinney, a membership-based business league -- both incorporated in 2019. Both organizations operate out of the historic Cotton Mill Cultural Arts District, one mile from downtown McKinney.

MillHouse Foundation manages festivals, markets, and collaborative events with other local and international entities using our operating model: Artists Supporting Artists. Local artists set aside their business practices to lead MillHouse events to support fellow creatives. We provide stipends as direct compensation.

We're in the business of micro-economic development. Our mission is enhancing the earning potential of micro business owners in creative fields. Our focus is women; however, everyone can participate in our programming and events

Program Priorities

• INFUSE CULTURE by creating events that offer artists, artisans, and musicians increased visibility, creative collaborations, and cultural diffusion touch points;  
• ELEVATE EXPRESSION by highlighting creative work through Gallery exhibits, Public Art, and social media promotions; and 
• EXPAND ECONOMY by growing skills and enhancing economic opportunities for micro-business owners in creative fields. 

PROGRAMS

ARTFEST: Biennial juried two-day indoor fine art festival held in February and August each year inside the historic century-old Cotton Mill. Artist-vendors showcase their artwork in the Grand Hallway, Wedding Event venue, and Atrium Hallway.

MAKERS MARKET: Juried one-day indoor Second Saturday market for artisans and makers to showcase and sell their products inside the Cotton Mill Atrium Hallway.  

MURALFEST: Juried two-day mural and music festival held in 2022, 2023, 2024 resulting in 27 of the 34 murals adorning the historic Cotton Mill facility.

INTERNATIONAL POSTCARD ART EXHIBITION: This annual art exhibition, originated in Norway, supports a different charity each year. In 2024, MillHouse Foundation was the beneficiary and exhibit host with 550+ original 5x7 artworks from around the world. 

Each of these community-based creative events provides increase visibility and sales for participating artists and creatives, attracts new customers, enhances collaboration and learning among participating creatives. 

Our Needs

Your donation will support our new MillHouse Create Art Residency – artist stipends, supplies, and overhead costs to provide a space for art residents to create.

We believe artist residencies feed into the local arts ecosystem by creating a supportive, learning environment that nurtures the creative process. Participating MillHouse Create artists can pursue and enhance their creative practice through research, ideation, collaboration, creation, and production of proposed projects.