North Texas Arts: TACA Names 2027 Silver Cup Winners
Cece Smith and Chris Luna will receive the honor at an April luncheon in Dallas.
By Leila Reynolds ·
TACA has selected Cece Smith and Chris Luna as the recipients of the 2027 Silver Cup Award. The arts advocacy group will present the distinction during its 49th Annual Silver Cup Luncheon on April 16 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. This event marks the culmination of a long-standing tradition of recognizing local leaders who support the region’s creative sector.
The Silver Cup Award was established in 1979 by former Dallas mayor and arts advocate Annette Strauss. It recognizes individuals whose dedication to arts and culture has shaped the North Texas community. For nearly five decades, the award has honored supporters whose generosity and service have strengthened local organizations. Past honorees include Margaret McDermott, Margot Perot, Stanley Marcus, Gene Jones, and Nancy Nasher. Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith received the award in 2026.
Maura Sheffler, Donna Wilhelm Family president and executive director of TACA, described the award as a celebration of community passion. She stated that the organization is thrilled to honor Smith and Luna for their remarkable dedication. Sheffler noted that their leadership and service continue to make a meaningful difference in the cultural community. TACA looks forward to celebrating their specific contributions during the upcoming event.
Cece Smith is a philanthropist and business leader with a deep history in the North Texas arts community. She served as Chair of the Dallas Symphony Association and President of the Dallas Symphony Foundation for more than 20 years. Her civic involvement extends to The Dallas Opera, Dallas Bach Society, Texas Ballet Theater, The Cliburn, Dallas Museum of Art, and Nasher Sculpture Center. She also co-founded the President’s Research Council at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Smith previously chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Smith is the retired co-founder and managing general partner of Phillips-Smith-Machens Venture Partners. This Dallas-based firm invested in companies such as PETsMART, Ulta Cosmetics, White House Black Market, and Jamba Juice. She served on the boards of national retailers including Brinker International, Michaels Stores, and Pier 1 Imports. Smith holds a magna cum laude degree from the University of Michigan and is a certified public accountant.
Chris Luna serves as President and CEO of the SPCA of Texas. He is a current board member and past president of Dallas Theater Center. Luna also serves on the board of TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND and is an advisory board member and past vice chair of The Dallas Foundation. His previous arts leadership roles include work with ArtReach, Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, and Turtle Creek Chorale. He previously served three terms on the Dallas City Council, where he advocated for business development, housing, and the arts. Before his role at the SPCA, Luna was Vice President of Legal Affairs at T-Mobile USA. He holds degrees in accounting and law from the University of Texas at Austin.
Kim Hext will chair the 2027 TACA Silver Cup Luncheon. Proceeds from the event will support TACA’s mission to invest in the Dallas arts community through grantmaking and professional development programs. The organization aims to enhance the resilience and diversity of local arts groups. The luncheon serves as the primary fundraising mechanism for these ongoing initiatives.
