Founded in 1987, Dallas-based Big Thought is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations focused on improving public education through creative learning. Driven by its mission — to make imagination a part of everyday learning — Big Thought develops groundbreaking programs to address creative problem-solving, life skills and workforce development, providing children with pathways to success.

Big Thought’s success is built upon a foundation of powerful and effective partnerships with civic, educational, arts and cultural resources. The majority of Big Thought’s programming takes place under the banner of Thriving Minds, a citywide system that joins the City of Dallas, Dallas Independent School District and more than 100 other organizations, with Big Thought as managing partner. Other key programs are Library Live!, Creative Solutions, Young Audiences of North Texas, Dallas ArtsPartners and North Texas Wolf Trap.

Through its strategic systems building and innovative partnerships, Big Thought now serves more than 300,000 Dallas children, families and teachers each year, both in and out of the classroom.  Annually, Big Thought also delivers more than one million hours of programming and individual creative instruction. Program focus ranges from arts appreciation to literacy to intellectual development to creative expression and beyond. 

Community and business leaders, educational reformers and government entities throughout America look to Big Thought’s work as a model for similar initiatives. Big Thought eagerly shares its expertise through conferences and workshops. A major contributor to educational research, Big Thought also publishes program outcomes and the wealth of its findings.

National recognition for Big Thought’s work includes the Americans for the Arts “2009 Arts in Education Award” and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities “Coming Up Taller Award” in 2004.

Learn more at bigthought.org.

History

More than 20 years ago, Edith O’Donnell and Mitch Jericho knew in their hearts that the arts had the power to help children learn. Working in a cramped, closet-size office, they pooled their resources and launched the 32nd chapter of Young Audiences here in Dallas.  

The organization has since grown to serve children, teachers and parents in more ways than its founders ever imagined. The umbrella name Big Thought was added to reflect its broadened scope of vision and ideas. Today, Big Thought has programs that address academic achievement, family services, life-skills and workforce development. Having expanded beyond the traditional in-school programs, Big Thought now reaches children and families in-school, after-school, during the summer, and in their neighborhoods and communities.

Through its work, Big Thought provides learning opportunities that have been proven to help students become more imaginative, adaptable and productive adults, resulting in stronger communities and a more capable future workforce.