The Dallas Arts District has named higher education and nonprofit leader Ahava Silkey-Jones as its new executive director, selecting a veteran arts administrator to lead the organization as it enters its next phase of growth.
Silkey-Jones, who most recently served as vice provost of Dallas College’s School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design, brings more than 15 years of experience in arts administration, higher education, nonprofit leadership and civic engagement, a news release said. She succeeds longtime executive director Lily Weiss, who retired in January after leading the organization for nine years.
“The Dallas Arts District is one of America’s great cultural neighborhoods,” Silkey-Jones said in a prepared statement. “We have an incredible opportunity to elevate the district’s national and global profile while creating an even more welcoming, connected and vibrant place for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”
The Dallas Arts District spans 118 acres in downtown Dallas and is home to 19 cultural organizations, including museums, performance venues and public spaces. Billed as the nation’s largest contiguous urban arts district, it also includes businesses, educational institutions, churches and residential developments.
Board chairman Warren Tranquada, who is also president and chief executive of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, said Silkey-Jones’ collaborative leadership style made her a strong fit for the position.
“She’s spent her career bringing people together across sectors to create lasting community impact,” Tranquada said in a prepared statement.
Silkey-Jones takes over at a time when the organization has adopted a new strategic plan emphasizing advocacy, placemaking, public safety, infrastructure and expanded programming. During this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North Texas, the district drew international attention by hosting the large-scale public art installation RedBall Dallas and four major festivals that attracted hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors.
Before joining the Dallas Arts District, Silkey-Jones oversaw academic strategy, arts programming and industry partnerships across Dallas College’s seven campuses.
Silkey-Jones was honored with the 2025 Obelisk Award from the Business Council for the Arts and was named a 2025 Top Woman Leader by Women We Admire. She holds degrees from Harvard University, Roosevelt University and DePaul University.
Jill Magnuson, a former board chairwoman who served as interim executive director during the leadership transition, will return to volunteer service with the organization.
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