ABOUT AURORA
AURORA is an esteemed public arts organization based in Dallas, passionately dedicated to shaping a more inclusive and accessible future, by generating meaningful art and technology experiences between the public realm and the artists expanding our ideas of the future.
Founded in 2010 by visionary artists Shane Pennington and Joshua King, in collaboration with veteran Dallas arts supporter Veletta Forsythe Lill, AURORA emerged from a collective desire to establish a contemporary cultural legacy event that could elevate Dallas into a global arts epicenter. Over the years, we have achieved remarkable milestones in connecting a larger audience to the arts in North Texas. Our fourth event, proudly created the Arts District's largest attended event to date, leaving a profound impact on the city's cultural landscape.
Today, AURORA is an organization with year-round cultural experiences that have no boundaries. We search for cultural deserts and bring new and relevant forms of art to those beyond the white walls of our cultural institutions. Long gone are the days of only trying to bring people to us. AURORA uses technology as a conduit to take art to the people.
Our Art Quest program, an evolving initiative utilizing 3D printed technologies from regional artists, focuses on commissioning and gifting $10,000 worth of artwork to various communities in need of greater access to culture and technology. The neighborhoods selected in 2023 were Bachman Lake, South Dallas, and Pleasant Grove. This program serves as a gateway, enabling patrons not only to access previously unexplored communities but also to immerse themselves in the cultural epicenters that reside within these diverse locations.
Our Video Art Nights program – a unique projection event showcasing captivating video art created by a diverse roster of national, regional, and emerging artists. Nestled in the heart of downtown Dallas, this program redefines artistic presentation by placing it in unexpected places, thereby granting heightened accessibility and fostering a deeper comprehension of the intersection between art, technology and our landscape.
Our cornerstone Biennial event has commissioned and curated an intentionally diverse roster of more than 370 visionary artists from over 50+ countries and united over 350,000 attendees to Dallas, through a free public art exhibition that is one of the most accessible events in North Texas, and continues to evolve with our society and the technology that shapes its future. AURORA aims to expand the future of art through a dialogue that engages the creative possibilities within ourselves and each other.
We are EXPANDING. We invite everyone to EXPAND with us and be part of an inspiring movement that celebrates the boundless potential of art and technology in shaping a more vibrant and inclusive world. Together, let us forge a path towards an enlightened future where art knows no bounds and enriches the lives of all.
