SiNaCa co-founder Clifton Crofford said the decision to relocate wasn\u2019t easy, but that the glass studio needs to expand its programming and ensure long-term sustainability.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re real excited to have found such a strong partner and one that\u2019s so supportive of the arts,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Arlington spokesperson Susan Schrock said the city will comment after the council\u2019s vote next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
SiNaCa launched as a collective of glass artists in 2008 in the now-closed<\/a> Fort Worth Community Arts Center before moving into its current brick-and-mortar in 2010.<\/p>\n For the past five years, SiNaCa struggled to increase financial support from major donors and the city of Fort Worth, interim executive director Breinn Richter said. In 2024, the studio almost closed its doors, but community members raised more than $85,000<\/a> to address its budget shortfall.\u00a0<\/p>\n The nonprofit outgrew its Near Southside building \u2014 a converted gas station \u2014 years ago, Richter said. The studio\u2019s team searched for a new home throughout Tarrant County before connecting with Arlington leaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a city is really willing to invest in your future, that is significant for our trajectory,\u201d Richter said of Arlington.<\/p>\n Under the proposal, the city of Arlington will provide a $150,000 grant for facility improvements and will reimburse SiNaCa up to $850,000 \u2014 in monthly lease payments \u2014 for approved building renovations. The nonprofit will be responsible for additional improvements.\u00a0<\/p>\n SiNaCa will operate the property as a glass arts school, gallery, artist studio and community arts facility, according to the lease. The agreement establishes an option to renew the lease for an additional 10 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n The nonprofit\u2019s relocation supports the city\u2019s goal of creating a vibrant downtown that puts Arlington on the map, said Maggie Campbell, CEO and president of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOnce this building is fully activated and lights are on, it\u2019s going to create an anchor for the redevelopment of the rest of Front Street,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Near Southside Inc. president Megan Henderson said there is \u201creal sorrow\u201d around SiNaCa\u2019s departure, but recognized the nonprofit found a great new partner.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really fortunate that they\u2019ve built a community-based knowledge of glassblowing and glass art here in the district,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you\u2019re in a great arts district, it shouldn\u2019t be that you hold things captive. It should be your job to give voice to their vision.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Arlington\u2019s ability to attract SiNaCa emphasizes a need for the city of Fort Worth to reexamine its structural support for arts organizations, Henderson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf Arlington was able to offer something to SiNaCa that was better, that\u2019s something Fort Worth should be reflective of,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last year, SiNaCa brought<\/a> the Glass Art Society\u2019s International Conference to Fort Worth. The nonprofit is currently partnered with the University of Texas at Arlington\u2019s Glass Studio.\u00a0<\/p>\n If Arlington City Council approves the agreement, SiNaCa\u2019s team will \u201chit the ground running\u201d to renovate the property for a late summer 2027 reopening, Richter said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The studio will continue to operate its workshops, classes and shows at its Magnolia location through the end of its lease on Jan. 31. The nonprofit will operate its new mobile unit for workshops during those interim months.\u00a0<\/p>\n David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CAS_Glass_Blowing-1-1024x819.jpg\")
SiNaCa Studios, pictured in October 2021, is currently located in a renovated gas station at 1013 W. Magnolia Ave. in Fort Worth\u2019s Near Southside. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n