Welcome to 52 Faces<\/strong><\/p>\n 52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n The arts council, founded in 1975 originally as the Trinity Arts Foundation, serves communities in 16 Tarrant County cities, including Bedford, Euless, Haltom City and Richland Hills.\u00a0<\/p>\n Downer\u2019s dedication to the arts has earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, the Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series spotlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.<\/p>\n ENJOY READING THE NEWS AGAIN<\/strong><\/p>\n Discover refreshing, nonpartisan<\/strong> reporting on stories happening in your backyard.<\/p>\n Downer\u2019s love of the arts spans decades. She first joined ArtsNet as a board member in 2005 before leaving and returning in early 2021 to assist the organization after the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the art council\u2019s abilities to sustain employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2019, ArtsNet reported a revenue of $225,523. The art council\u2019s finances dropped to $92,668 the following year, according to the organization\u2019s tax filings<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Downer\u2019s involvement with the arts only grew after a family tragedy fueled her to turn loss into positivity. In December 2021, her son and daughter-in-law died in a car crash. She turned to quilting to navigate her grief.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe first thing I thought of was, \u2018How do I alleviate the pain?\u2019\u201d Downer said, with tears in her eyes. \u201cAnd you always go to alcohol or some kind of drug. I knew I couldn\u2019t do that. I just sewed and sewed and sewed until I couldn\u2019t sew anymore. It kept me from going downhill.\u201d<\/p>\n In August 2024, Downer took on the role of executive director of ArtsNet, becoming the art council\u2019s only full-time staff member.\u00a0<\/p>\n She works with the art council\u2019s group of board members to bring the \u201cArt on Wheels<\/a>\u201d and \u201cMasterworks Concert<\/a>\u201d programs to several community centers, senior housing complexes and concert venues across its northeast region.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cindy Deming, an ArtsNet board member, praised Downer for her \u201chands-on-approach\u201d to coordinating all the events across the community, highlighting her dedication to mental health and creativity.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cShe brings a uniqueness and her heart and love. She eats, breathes and sleeps ArtsNet. There\u2019s a confidence knowing that it\u2019s going to be taken care of, because Nansii is on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Cindy Deming, ArtsNet board member<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Although the arts council is reestablishing itself slowly<\/a>, Downer has struggled with keeping the programs afloat strictly through fundraising efforts, since there has been some uncertainty about the future of arts grants<\/a> across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI take a very small paycheck, because the bottom line is, I want to help people not to build that wall, not to disengage,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n In September, ArtsNet will host its \u201cTaste of Northeast<\/a>\u201d celebration \u2014 an event featuring local restaurants, vendors and live music \u2014 in hopes of securing funds to expand its service reach.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n Amid the financial difficulties, Downer remains dedicated to ensuring arts remain accessible to communities that need them most.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSomedays it\u2019s like being in a dinghy in the middle of a big lake with one oar and the wind is picking up,\u201d Downer said. \u201cI could jump out and say \u2018I\u2019m not going to do this anymore, it\u2019s too much,\u2019 but then the boat would go down. I\u2019ve chosen to stay in the boat.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tired of shouting? Help us bring facts into focus.<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s no shortage of opinions out there, but facts are harder to come by. At the Fort Worth Report, we deliver local reporting grounded in truth so that you can make informed decisions for yourself and your community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"52](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1752962469_104_52-faces-transparent-2.png\"){kind=spacer}
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