Deep Ellum Foundation

The opportunity

Deep Ellum Foundation is a nonprofit corporation with a goal to ultimately advance the Deep Ellum neighborhood to continue to be a central hub for creative and entertainment industries in North Texas. In partnering with CultureHype to increase community engagement and initiatives, we helped to continue the work of overall goodwill for the neighborhood by launching and publicizing new community projects. Major project included the community mural named Blues Alley, created by the Foundation and Dan & Cathryn Colcer; Deep Ellum Open Studios, and various community programs.

The development

With new community engagement events and initiatives daily; CultureHype worked to promote small business relief, new art banners set for the city, ride-share initiatives, and local businesses and organizations like Booty’s and Foundation 45. With the pandemic amidst, we worked to adjust and promote new online community events like Foundation 45’s virtual zoom support groups. Which in turn, was created to continue to help mental health, addiction and suicide survivors. In continuing to promote Deep Ellum as a local arts hub, Deep Ellum Open Studios was another major artistic event that was featured on the Dallas Observer as one of the best things to do in Dallas.

One key historic project known as the “Blues Alley” was a fundamental community initiative to showcase Deep Ellum’s rich history of blues music. This includes legends like T-Bone Walker, Henry Quails, and Willard Robinson. This 2-phase mural was an integral initiative with CultureHype, and the team was able to get notable press placements on the Dallas Morning News and the Lakewood advocate.

Aside from notable press placements, the Texas Commission of the Arts also gave over $100,000 grant to continue to fund the Blues Alley project. All happening in the duration of partnership with CultureHype. 

The results

CultureHype was able to bring the Deep Ellum Foundation into the conversation and helped elevate the perception of the neighborhood regionally. By continuing to push the artistic greatness and community talent the neighborhood has to offer, CultureHype was able to advance and publicize Deep Ellum Foundation’s achievements such as the small business relief, rideshare initiatives, and the TCA grant. All in all, CultureHype’s work to support the local community aligned well with Deep Ellum Foundation’s ultimate goal, and more importantly made a grandeur partnership.