The McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has been a beacon of cultural enrichment in our community, playing an instrumental role in nurturing the arts and supporting talented musicians since its inception. Over the years, MPO has showcased extraordinary commitment by steadily raising musicians' salaries annually, even amidst economic challenges such as inflation and rising operational costs. Their dedication extends beyond their orchestra, as they have established the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra, providing scholarships to budding music talents and hosting free recitals that empower young artists. To date, the McKinney Philharmonic hosts 7 full subscription concerts, 3 chamber music concerts, several free recitals and tour local ISD performing in more than 30 school performances annually.

Despite these commendable efforts, funding for the MPO and similar groups has remained stagnant since 2014. This is particularly concerning when juxtaposed with McKinney’s recent financial decisions, such as investing $300 million in an amphitheater and $10 million renovating the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC). While these are valuable ventures that will undoubtedly enhance our city's infrastructure, it is crucial that such growth also include support for organizations that have tirelessly contributed to McKinney’s cultural landscape.

In the last five years, McKinney has more than increased its funding towards the arts. This showcases a firm commitment to the artistic community, yet, the grant cap has not been revised to reflect this increase for groups like the MPO. Such disparities hinder local cultural groups from fully flourishing and meeting the growing demands of presenting quality performances and compensating their talents fairly.

We, therefore, urge the McKinney City Council to reevaluate the current arts grant cap and increase it substantially. By doing so, we can ensure that institutions like the MPO have the necessary resources to continue their exemplary work, foster cultural appreciation, and maintain the city's vibrant artistic heritage. Your signature can make a difference in advocating for a fairer distribution of arts funding that acknowledges the value these groups bring to our city. Please sign this petition to support the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and likeminded organizations today.