ggg
1975
The Thomas’ passion for art turned to building their collection, starting with the Taos Society of Artists and the California Impressionists.
|
1980
With a focus on diversification, the Thomas began collecting modern and contemporary paintings, specifically mid-century global abstract and geometric art centered around 1950-1979.
|
1997
Marilynn Thoma began to build the couple’s Art of the Spanish Americas collection.
|
2009
With Carl’s professional background as the Founding Partner of Thoma Bravo, which focuses on technology investment, the Thomas began collecting digital and media art, developing a pioneering collection featuring innovative technology-based art.
|
2011
The Thomas started their Japanese bamboo art journey, focusing primarily on contemporary non-functional basketry.
|
2014
The Carl and Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation was established, and the first Foundation headquarters and gallery space, Art House, opened in Santa Fe, NM.
Before moving away from Chicago, IL, Thomas opened a warehouse and private exhibition space called Orange Door. This space is still used as a research facility and climate-controlled storage for the Art of the Spanish Americas collection.
The Foundation’s museum loan program also began, allowing the Thomas to share their growing collection with a much wider audience.
|
2018
The Marilynn Thoma Fellowship in Art of the Spanish Americas was created, becoming the only unrestricted research funding in the United States devoted exclusively to the field.
|
2020
The Foundation developed the Thoma Scholars Program and began making grants to improve educational outcomes for underserved youth in rural Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
|
2021
Art Vault, a 3,500 square-foot gallery exhibiting the digital art collection that is free and open to the public, opened in the Santa Fe Railyard.
The Foundation was renamed the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation to better represent all of its philanthropic initiatives, which extend beyond the art world and include education initiatives in under-resourced and rural areas.
|
2023
The Foundation headquarters relocated to Dallas, TX. Located in Uptown Dallas, the Cedar Springs Headquarters and Exhibition Space is open by appointment and exhibits artwork spanning all areas of the collection.
ggg