City staff updated the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee on Feb. 18 about negotiations with the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and said staff will seek a short‑term extension of the DMA’s current agreement so both parties can continue talks on a longer‑term arrangement.

Miss Phillippe, director of the Office of Arts and Culture, presented the memo and was joined by DMA staff including the museum’s director of external affairs and the chief experience officer. “We do have an item that will be put forth before council on March 26. We intend to bring a short term extension, before the body, to give us a bit of time to discuss a new long term agreement with this particular facility,” Miss Phillippe said.

Why it matters: city staff said the extension would provide time for continued negotiation of terms that could include a transition of more responsibility to the DMA; staff also listed work planned in the 2024 bond program and noted recent amendments to the existing agreement.

Discussion: committee members asked clarifying questions and city and DMA staff said they were discussing options and the best outcomes for both parties over a two‑year process. DMA representatives present declined to elaborate on negotiation details during the committee briefing.

Next steps: staff said a short‑term contract extension would be forwarded to council for consideration on March 26 and that discussions on a possible long‑term agreement will continue during the extension period.

Ending: No formal council action was taken at the committee meeting; city staff signaled an administrative recommendation for a short‑term extension to be considered at the March council meeting.