The McNay Art Museum and Bihl Haus Arts in San Antonio, the City of Houston Office of Arts, the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, and Fort Worth community advocacy organization Near Southside have announced new hires and promotions.
On Tuesday, February 17, the McNay Art Museum announced the appointment of Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell as Head of Curatorial Affairs. René Paul Barilleaux, who held the position since 2017, retired in September 2025. Ms. Mitchell will continue in her role as Curator of Prints and Drawings, a position she has held since March 2025.
Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell
Matthew McLendon, McNay Director and CEO, said in a press release, “Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell is a respected scholar and a perceptive institutional leader. She brings intellectual clarity, collaborative generosity, and a strong curatorial point of view to everything she does.” In her dual role, Mr. McLendon said, “she will help shape the next chapter of the McNay’s exhibitions, collections, and curatorial culture while building on the museum’s longstanding strengths.”
The press release describes her past work as “connect[ing] works on paper to broader art-historical and contemporary conversations,” and that in her directorial role she will oversee the museum’s curatorial departments and development of its collections.
“The McNay has an extraordinary curatorial team and a collection of remarkable depth,” Ms. Mitchell said. “I am honored to step into this role and to work alongside my colleagues to build thoughtful exhibition arcs, deepen our collections and create meaningful encounters with art that resonate with our community and with audiences well beyond San Antonio.”
Ms. Mitchell holds a PhD in 18th-century British prints from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB); an MA in 19th-century British painting from the University of Arizona; and BA degrees in Spanish and Liberal Arts from the University of Wyoming. Her previous experience includes holding the Interim Co-Director position at Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center, curation in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s Department of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, and teaching positions at Stanford University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and UCSB.
On Friday, February 13, the office of Mayor John Whitmire announced the appointment of Michele Leal as Director of the City of Houston Office of Arts.
Michele Leal
In a press release, Mayor Whitmire said, “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.”
Ms. Leal was previously the mayoral-appointed Chair of the Houston Arts Alliance, a nonprofit organization that implements City of Houston arts initiatives, including its public art and grants programs. In 2025, she received the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award. From 2008 to 2011, Ms. Leal was Development Director for El Centro de Corazón, and she has served on the board of the Latin Women’s Initiative since 2008.
Ms. Leal will begin in her new role on Monday, March 2. “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,” she said.
Vanessa Hadox and Amy Henry
In January, the Nasher Sculpture Center announced two internal promotions: Vanessa Hadox, formerly Director of Development for Institutional Giving, is now Director of Development; and Amy Henry, formerly Executive Assistant to the Director and Patron Travel Coordinator prior to that, is now Senior Manager of Patron Programs.
As stated in a press release, since starting with the Nasher in 2004, “Ms. Henry has been an essential partner to leadership and a trusted point of contact for many of our most dedicated members and supporters. Her care, professionalism, and deep institutional knowledge have helped shape countless patron experiences at the Nasher and on the road and we are thrilled to watch her expand these experiences.”
In an earlier press release, Ms. Hadox was praised for a major fundraising project for the center’s 2023-2024 Groundswell: Women of Land Art exhibition, and the 2024 Nasher Public: Urban Historical Recognition and Reclamation project by artist Vicki Meek.
Carlos Basualdo, Nasher Director, said, “This is a well-deserved promotion. We are thrilled to continue benefiting from Vanessa’s expertise, dedication, and vision as she leads the Nasher’s development efforts into an exciting new chapter.”
Megan Henderson and Mike Brennan
Near Southside, a community advocacy organization in Fort Worth, has announced a board succession plan to take place in April. Megan Henderson, currently Cultural Director, will succeed Mike Brennan, Board President since 2018.
Mr. Brennan has been with Near Southside for 20 years in various roles, and Ms. Henderson has worked in the organization since 2013.
In a press release, Mr. Brennan said his goal for the leadership transition is “long-term stability and continued momentum. Having the right leader is the most critical ingredient for success — our board of directors and stakeholders know Megan Henderson is that leader. She has been the driving force of much of NSI’s community work for over a decade, and her impact has been remarkable.”
Ms. Henderson praised Mr. Brennan’s two decades of work with the organization, remarking that he “has represented our diverse set of economic and community stakeholders with passion and vision, and the results of his leadership are evident in every facet of the Near Southside’s success.”
Nicholas Gonzales, Executive Director of the San Antonio nonprofit arts organization Bihl Haus Arts, has announced the addition of four new staff members.
(Left to right) Ariana Runner, Beth Dominguez, Sarah Shore, Bunny Keefer, Nicholas Gonzales
Beth Dominguez has been appointed Curator and Gallery Coordinator. Sarah Shore will take on the role of Education Director, with Ariana Runner as Gallery Assistant and Education Assistant, and Bunny Keefer will serve as Artist-in-Residence.
In a press release, Mr. Gonzales praised the work of Bihl Haus Arts founder Kellen MacIntyre, who led the organization for 18 years prior to her retirement in 2022. Ms. MacIntyre “ sought to improve the quality of life for seniors and veterans through art education,” Mr. Gonzales said. “Today, we honor her legacy and continue her vision through successful arts programs, such as Go Arts! for seniors and Forward Arts! for veterans dealing with PTSD, depression, and other mental health challenges. We hope Kellen will be proud of the progress and accomplishments we have achieved since she left Bihl Haus.”