Person in brown jacket painting an abstract canvas with blue, orange, and white brushstrokes.

Educate

We provide resources and programs to cultivate artistic talent and appreciation among all ages in our community.

Musician playing a violin in an orchestra setting

Advocate

We champion policies and initiatives that support and sustain the growth of Plano’s dynamic art community.

Silhouettes of two dancers performing on stage with dramatic lighting and smoke effects.

Inspire

We encourage creativity and engagement in the arts within our community.

Musician playing electric guitar on stage with microphone, colorful lights, and smoke.

Promote

We showcase the diverse talents and cultural events that make Plano a vibrant arts destination.

Performers in white costumes holding hands on a dimly lit stage with blue lighting.

Collaborate

Since 2015, CAP has been fostering collaboration, enhancing communication, and promoting the rich diversity of Plano’s arts scene.

Colorful abstract digital artwork with silhouettes of people in various poses and actions, including climbing, standing, and sitting.

Art Inspires. Business Thrives.

Logo of CAP (Collaborative Arts of Plano) with stylized colorful dancing figures and the Plano Chamber of Commerce logo with a stack of blue vertical bars.

Co-sponsored by Collaborative Arts of Plano and the Plano Chamber of Commerce.

State of the Arts 2026, in photos

Thank you for showing up for Plano’s creative community

On behalf of Collaborative Arts of Plano, thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and volunteer who helped bring State of the Arts 2026 to life—and to everyone who came out to be part of it. The gallery below captures what we felt all night: a community coming together with warmth, momentum, and a shared belief that when the arts thrive, Plano thrives.

Plano’s arts community, in motion

A look at the performances, exhibitions, events, and creative experiences made possible by Collaborative Arts of Plano member organizations.

First presented at State of the Arts 2026, this video offers a glimpse into the depth and variety of arts experiences happening across Plano. From symphony and dance to theater, visual art, cultural events, and community celebrations,

CAP member organizations help make the arts visible, accessible, and meaningful throughout the year.

Video soundtrack courtesy of Plano Symphony Orchestra

“The Plano Overture.” Composed by Marcos Lifshitz, Commissioned by Plano Symphony Orchestra

© Plano Symphony Orchestra. All rights reserved.

A woman stands smiling next to a table display with photos, QR codes, and decorations at an indoor event.
Two women standing behind a table with North Texas Performing Arts promotional materials, in an art gallery setting.
Two women standing indoors, smiling at the camera. The woman on the left wears a red dress with a wide belt, and the woman on the right wears a black dress with a necklace and a name badge. Behind them is a display board with posters and a banner for
Three women standing behind a table at an indoor event, smiling for the camera. The table has promotional materials, a sign with a QR code, and some green notebooks. The background features a window with a view of trees.
Three people standing indoors in front of a banner at the State of the Arts event, April 14, 2026. The man on the left is wearing glasses, a dark checkered blazer, and light-colored pants. The woman in the middle has blonde hair, glasses, and is dres
Two women smiling indoors near a window and artwork, with other people in the background.
A man in a suit and a woman with glasses and patterned blouse are engaged in conversation at an indoor event. There are other people and a banner for North Texas Performing Arts in the background.
Two women smiling at a professional event, standing in front of a sign that reads "State of the Arts." One woman has short red hair and is wearing a pink and maroon patterned dress; the other has long dark hair and is wearing a brown striped blouse a
Four people, three standing and one sitting, at an indoor event, smiling for the photo. All are wearing professional attire and name tags.
Four people standing together indoors, posing for a photo during a professional event. They are smiling and wearing business casual attire with name tags. The background includes a banner with red and white text and a theater-themed decor.
Two women engage in conversation at a social event inside a building, one holding a flyer.
Two women smiling and talking at an art exhibit, with a woman in the background.
Four women standing together at an indoor event, smiling, with other people in the background and large windows letting in natural light.
Two men are engaged in conversation at an indoor social event, with other people in the background.
Two women engaged in conversation at an indoor event, one holding a brochure and wearing a purple blazer with a name tag, and the other with blonde hair wearing a light-colored shirt, with several people in the background.
Three women engaged in a conversation indoors, with one woman pointing her finger at another woman, who has a shaved head and is wearing a white jacket.
A woman in a blue dress shaking hands with a seated older man in a black suit at an art gallery event, with several others observing in the background.
Two women standing together at an indoor event, smiling at the camera. One woman is wearing a blue dress, and the other is dressed in a multicolored patterned jacket with a name tag. In the background, other attendees are visible, along with a poster
Three women standing together indoors at a social event, smiling at the camera. The woman on the left has dark hair, glasses, and is wearing a striped shirt and patterned pants. The woman in the middle has shoulder-length hair, a black jacket, and je
Three older adults at a social event, two men and one woman, standing and sitting together indoors, smiling, wearing name tags.
Group of five musicians seated on stage playing wind instruments, with music stands and sheet music in front of them, during a performance at the Plano Community Band event, with a backdrop displaying the event name and a colorful banner promoting ar
An elderly man with glasses wearing a suit and blazer, sitting on a red mobility scooter, reading a document on a stage with blank chairs, a podium, and a large screen behind him displaying a photo of Gene Dillard, President of Collaborative Arts of
An elderly man with glasses, dressed in a dark suit, sitting in a wheelchair, holding papers and appearing to squint or be upset at an event.
A man standing at a podium on a stage giving a speech. Behind him is a large screen displaying a photo of Tom Venner with the text 'Tom Venner Master of Ceremony.' To his right, there are four empty chairs and three microphone stands on the stage. Th
A man with glasses and a beard stands behind a podium, smiling, with a microphone attached. Behind him is a screen with a logo and the text 'Plano Chamber.'
A man in a suit standing at a podium on stage giving a speech. Behind him is a large screen displaying a portrait of John B. Muns, Mayor of the City of Plano, along with the logo for the Arts of the Arts.
Older man in a gray suit speaking at a podium during a presentation or conference. Background features a white screen with partial logo and text.
Woman in a blue dress speaking at a wooden podium on stage with chairs and microphones, projected slide shows her photo and name Kellyn Smith Kenny, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at AT&T Inc., during an event with a banner reading 'Creative Arts o
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair speaking at a podium with a microphone during a presentation or conference.
Woman speaking at a podium during an event with a large screen displaying her photo and title, 'Suzy Jones, Executive Director, ArtCentre of Plano.'
A woman with glasses, wearing a colorful, patterned jacket, speaking at a podium with a microphone during a presentation or speech.
A man standing at a podium speaking at an event, with a large screen behind him displaying a photo and text introducing Greg Patterson, President and CEO of Plano Symphony, at an arts event at the Plano Chamber.
An older man in a suit stands at a podium with a microphone, smiling during a speech or presentation at a formal event.
A woman standing at a podium on stage giving a speech, with a large screen behind her displaying her name, Kathy Chamberlain, and her titles, Founder and Artistic Director of Chamberlain Ballet. The stage has three empty chairs, two microphones, and
A woman with short, wavy brown hair and glasses standing behind a black podium, speaking into a microphone, with a screen in the background displaying 'Plano Chamber'.
Man in a suit speaking at a podium during a presentation with a large screen behind him displaying a photo of Darrell Rodenbaugh, Chief Executive Officer of North Texas Performing Arts, and event logos.
A man in a gray suit, white shirt, and red striped tie speaking at a podium with a microphone, wearing glasses and with hair slicked back.
A woman stands at a podium on a stage, giving a speech or presentation. Behind her is a large screen displaying a photo of another woman and text that reads 'Dollie Thomas, Executive Director, Plano African American Museum.' There are four empty chai
An elderly woman standing behind a wooden podium with a microphone, appearing to be speaking or giving a speech at an indoor event.
A woman standing at a wooden podium giving a speech at an event. Behind her, a large screen displays her photo and title: "Diane Gobel, Chair, City of Plano Cultural Arts Commission." The stage has four empty chairs and a water bottle on the floor.
A woman with short brown hair and wearing a red patterned shirt delivers a speech at a podium with a microphone.
An older man with white hair and glasses stands at a podium with a microphone, in front of a screen displaying the Plano Chamber of Commerce logo.
Five people sitting on stage participating in a panel discussion, with a screen behind them displaying text and a banner to the right that reads "State Fair" and promotes art, inspiration, business, and thriving.
Three people sitting on stage during a panel discussion, with a woman in the middle speaking into a microphone and holding a pamphlet, behind a backdrop displaying large photos of faces.
A young woman with long, wavy brown hair, wearing a beige short-sleeve cardigan, holding a microphone, during a panel or conference.
An older woman with blonde hair, wearing glasses on her head, a white blazer and gold jewelry, holding a microphone and a pamphlet, sitting in front of a dark background, possibly during a presentation or event.
A young woman and an older man sit on stage in conversation, both holding microphones and smiling. The woman is wearing a beige top and brown pants, while the man is in a gray suit and glasses. A large screen in the background displays the woman's fa
A man with short hair, wearing a light blue blazer and white shirt, holding a microphone and sitting on a chair on stage.
Three women sitting on a stage during a panel discussion. The woman in the middle is speaking into a microphone, wearing a green blazer and patterned pants. The woman on the left is dressed in a white blazer and skirt, holding a tablet, and the woman
Three people sitting and talking on stage during a panel discussion, with a large screen behind them displaying a woman's face and some text.
Panel discussion at the State of the Arts 2026 event, featuring five individuals seated on stage in front of a large screen displaying event logos and a moderator's photo.
An elderly woman with short gray hair and a denim jacket engaging in a conversation with a bald man wearing glasses and a plaid shirt in a social setting.
Two women smiling at an indoor gathering, with other people blurred in the background, and a painting on the wall behind them.
A cheerful woman with a shaved head pointing at the camera, smiling, and surrounded by people at a social event.
Two women smiling at a photo event, one with long dark hair wearing a beige shirt, the other with dark hair in a black blazer, holding a booklet or program.
Four adults standing together indoors, smiling at the camera.
Three people smiling at a social event indoors, two women and one man, standing close together. The woman on the left is holding a drink, wearing a white jacket over a beige top, and has glasses on her head. The man in the middle is dressed in a dark
Two women standing indoors behind a display table at an event, with the table featuring a black tablecloth with the Garage Arts Project logo and website URL. The table has various informational materials, and there are frames with photos on the table

Photography by Brad Sharp

CAP announces Celebrate the Arts on August 15!

We’ll be sharing details as we bring the day to life.

"Celebrate the Arts" graphic with theater masks, paint palette, ballet shoes, and musical symbols.

The Collaborative Arts of Plano production of Celebrate Plano Arts is a celebration of the best of Plano arts: dance, theatre, music, comedy, and visual arts by Plano's leading arts organizations.

Saturday, August 15, 2026 • Courtyard Theater

Children’s Matinee
2:30 p.m.

Evening Performance
7:00 p.m.

1509 Avenue H, in Historic Downtown Plano. Map

CAP Member Organizations

Experience the Arts in Plano

Explore our diverse member organizations that make our city a hub for creativity—each with its own unique vision, talent, and performances. Click through to their websites to discover local theater productions, stunning visual arts, inspiring music, and more. Whether you're a lifelong arts enthusiast or just looking for something new, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Collaborative Arts of Plano: Connect, create, celebrate.

Building a Thriving Arts Community

Collaborative Arts of Plano (CAP) brings together a diverse network of arts organizations, artists, and cultural leaders to strengthen and promote the arts in our city. By fostering collaboration, CAP supports its members in developing engaging performances, exhibitions, and educational programs that enrich Plano’s cultural landscape.

close up of a man playing the violin on stage.

Explore the Arts in Plano

CAP welcomes residents and visitors to experience Plano’s incredible variety of performing arts that include music, theater and dance. Plus, a wide array of visual art exhibits are continuously available throughout the city. CAP’s member organizations and their individual members stand ready to showcase their artistry for residents and visitors to explore.

Visitors to the Plano Art Association gallery discussing a painting.

A Hub for Connection and Growth

As a member-driven organization, CAP provides a platform for arts groups to share resources, exchange best practices, and work together on impactful projects. Whether through joint performances, community events, or advocacy efforts, we empower our members to grow and reach wider audiences.

The cast of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on stage.

Our Mission

To establish Plano as a dynamic, inclusive arts destination where creativity flourishes.

City of Plano Arts Directory

If you have a passion for art, dance, theater, or music, make sure you don’t miss any upcoming exhibition, performance or concert. These resources will help keep you up to date on what’s happening in Plano.

  • The Visit Plano logo

    Visit Plano

    Explore upcoming events, festivals, and performances and experience the best of Plano.

    Visit Plano Events
  • The Historic Downtown Plano logo

    Historic Downtown Plano

    Immerse yourself in the arts in Downtown Plano! Explore the creative heartbeat of the city.

    Art and Culture Directory
  • City of Plano Logo

    City of Plano Events and Shows

    Browse the City of Plano’s event calendar for upcoming performances, exhibitions, and cultural events.

    Events and Shows Calendar
  • Plano Arts and Events logo

    Plano Arts & Events

    Follow their Instagram to keep up to date on city festivals and events!

    Click Here

Arts, music, dance, or theater–Plano has it all!

Plano's vibrant arts scene offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from captivating performances and inspiring exhibitions to engaging educational programs. These images showcase the diverse talent and cultural vitality that make our city a hub for creativity and artistic expression.

Four people on stage looking intently at a smartphone held by a bald man, all wearing dark clothing with microphones.
A group of musicians in an orchestra playing flutes, seated in a row with music stands in front of them.
A group of women in blue traditional attire performing classical Indian dance poses on a grassy field.
A joyful group of children in colorful costumes performing on stage
A comedian performing on stage in a small theater with seated audience.
Child coloring a Texas-themed worksheet with a green crayon, depicting the state's map, a mockingbird, a bluebonnet, and the Alamo.
Group of performers on stage, with one person elevated, under dramatic lighting and blue background.
Two children sitting at a table in a mall participating in an art activity with colorful balloons in the background, observed by a woman taking a photo.
Woman observing artworks in an art gallery, holding a notebook. Diverse framed abstract paintings are displayed on the wall. A colorful glass sculpture is on a pedestal.
Three actors in period costumes performing on stage with medieval backdrop.
Child coloring at a table filled with crayons and drawing worksheets featuring faces.
Group of performers on stage in dramatic pose, with one person wearing a white dress in the center, surrounded by others in various costumes, against a theatrical backdrop.
Group of women in white traditional dresses with pink parasols, outdoors
Three people in an art gallery discussing artworks on display; one person appears to be explaining something about the art.
Artist painting a portrait of a woman on a canvas, with the artist's hand and brush visible in the foreground.

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Follow us for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and highlights from our vibrant arts community. Join our online community and be a part of the artistic journey!