Mayor Names Accomplished Community Leader to Serve as Arts Director
February 13, 2026 — Mayor John Whitmire has named Michele Leal as the City of Houston’s new Director of the Office of Arts. In this role, Leal will provide strategic guidance on the City’s art investments and advocate for arts and related projects across Houston.
She is a communications and public affairs strategist with over 15 years of experience in the public, nonprofit, and corporate sectors.
Until recently, Leal served as the mayoral-appointed Chair of the Houston Arts Alliance, the nonprofit agency that implements the City of Houston’s vision, values, and goals for arts grantmaking and civic art investments.
In 2025, she received the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award in recognition of her dedicated volunteer work supporting and educating Houston’s Hispanic community.
Leal has worked with a range of consulting clients and led fundraising efforts for multi-million-dollar capital campaigns. She also served as Development Director for El Centro de Corazón, where she managed communications and fundraising for a multi-site, multi-million-dollar federally designated community health center serving uninsured and underinsured Latino patients.
“I am grateful to Mayor Whitmire for entrusting me with this role. He is a visionary leader who understands that the arts are essential to a thriving city and contribute to the quality of our neighborhoods and institutions. I look forward to collaborating with artists and residents to broaden support and access to the arts across our city,” said Leal.
Leal will work closely with the City Council Arts and Culture Committee and will transition into her new role on March 2, 2026.
“Michele has the passion, experience, and collaborative spirit to serve as the City’s new Director of the Office of Arts. In this role, she will work with our partners, including Houston First and the Cultural Districts, to improve access to creative and cultural experiences across the city,” said Mayor Whitmire.