The Queens Theatre on Tuesday announced the appointment of Julia del Palacio as its new executive director.
Del Palacio brings more than 15 years of experience in fundraising, performing arts programming, strategic partnerships, and community-centered cultural development.
She succeeds longtime Executive Director Taryn Sacramone, who served since 2013 and expanded the theater’s mission-driven programming, community engagement and national leadership in accessibility with programming such as the Theatre For All initiative to advance the inclusion of disabled artists.
The Mexico City native most recently served as associate dean of the School of Arts at Queens College and director of strategic partnerships and development at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts.
She moved to New York to pursue graduate study, ultimately earning her Ph.D. in Latin American History from Columbia University. A professional performer of Mexican folk dance and co-founder of the acclaimed ensemble Radio Jarocho, she has toured internationally, led large-scale cultural events and curated festivals.
“Julia brings an extraordinary blend of artistic vision, strategic expertise, and deep commitment to Queens’ cultural ecosystem,” said Gary Kesner, Queens Theatre’s board president. “Her leadership across higher education, the nonprofit arts sector, and community partnership-building is exactly what Queens Theatre needs in this next chapter.”
“Queens Theatre is a place where the incredible cultural richness of our borough comes alive,” del Palacio said. “I am honored to join an institution that has long championed artists, welcomed families, and created inclusive spaces for creativity and connection.”