The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture announced on April 29 that it has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the “Arts Projects Spotlighting the Spirit of Sports” initiative. Dallas is one of eleven cities to receive this award, which supports projects coordinated by host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Each recipient will receive $30,000 for their respective projects, scheduled to take place between May 1 and December 31, 2026.
The grant aims to highlight local artistic traditions in connection with soccer celebrations and support creative programming during the international event. Projects funded under this initiative include performances, exhibitions, concerts, festivals, and educational activities.
“Dallas is honored to receive this support from the National Endowment for the Arts as we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Projects like ‘The World is Ours’ reflect the creativity, culture, and energy that define our city,” said City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “By bringing together art, community, and a global event of this scale, we are creating an experience that celebrates Dallas while connecting us to an international audience.”
According to a press release from the National Endowment for the Arts: “A grant to the City of Dallas will fund a temporary public art installation called ‘The World is Ours’ by artist Risk Rock.” The statement continues: “The sculpture will be installed at Fair Park on the same platform as Big Tex and will coincide with hosting FIFA World Cup team activities and Fan Fest events.” The artwork is currently displayed at Gallery DeFi in West Dallas.
Martine Elyse Philippe, Director of Office of Arts and Culture in Dallas said: “We are so excited to have Rock’s piece on display for residents and visitors to experience. The sculpture and its representation of the world is a clear example of how we can bridge arts and sports together. Serving as a welcoming beacon for many international fans we expect this summer, ‘The World is Ours’ truly embodies what makes Dallas an inviting place.”
“The World Is Ours” by Risk Rock measures eight feet wide by twelve feet high with a bronze hand lifting a rotating globe made from repurposed spray cans adorned with license plates from around the world. The sculpture symbolizes unity through shared global experiences such as those created by major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup.
