Matthew McLendon, McNay Director and CEO, said in a press release, \u201cElizabeth 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.\u201d In her dual role, Mr. McLendon said, \u201cshe will help shape the next chapter of the McNay\u2019s exhibitions, collections, and curatorial culture while building on the museum\u2019s longstanding strengths.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The press release describes her past work as \u201cconnect[ing] works on paper to broader art-historical and contemporary conversations,\u201d and that in her directorial role she will oversee the museum\u2019s curatorial departments and development of its collections.<\/p>\n \u201cThe McNay has an extraordinary curatorial team and a collection of remarkable depth,\u201d Ms. Mitchell said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Cantor Arts Center, curation in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston\u2019s Department of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, and teaching positions at Stanford University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and UCSB.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a press release, Mayor Whitmire said, \u201cMichele has the passion, experience, and collaborative spirit to serve as the City\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Leal was previously the mayoral-appointed Chair of the Houston Arts Alliance<\/a>, a nonprofit organization that implements City of Houston arts initiatives, including its public art and grants programs. In 2025, she received the Mayor\u2019s Hispanic Heritage Award. From 2008 to 2011, Ms. Leal was Development Director for El Centro de Coraz\u00f3n, and she has served on the board of the Latin Women\u2019s Initiative since 2008.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Ms. Leal will begin in her new role on Monday, March 2. \u201cI 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In January, the Nasher Sculpture Center<\/a> announced two internal promotions: Vanessa Hadox, formerly \u200b\u200bDirector of Development for Institutional Giving, is now \u200b\u200bDirector 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.<\/p>\n As stated in a press release, since starting with the Nasher in 2004, \u201cMs. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n In an earlier press release, Ms. Hadox was praised for a major fundraising project for the center\u2019s 2023-2024 Groundswell: Women of Land Art exhibition, and the 2024 Nasher Public: Urban Historical Recognition and Reclamation project by artist Vicki Meek<\/a>.<\/p>\n Carlos Basualdo, Nasher Director, said, \u200b\u200b\u201cThis is a well-deserved promotion. We are thrilled to continue benefiting from Vanessa\u2019s expertise, dedication, and vision as she leads the Nasher\u2019s development efforts into an exciting new chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n Near Southside<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr. Brennan has been with Near Southside for 20 years in various roles, and Ms. Henderson has worked in the organization since 2013.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a press release, Mr. Brennan said his goal for the leadership transition is \u201clong-term stability and continued momentum. Having the right leader is the most critical ingredient for success \u2014 our board of directors and stakeholders know Megan Henderson is that leader. She has been the driving force of much of NSI\u2019s community work for over a decade, and her impact has been remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Henderson praised Mr. Brennan\u2019s two decades of work with the organization, remarking that he \u201chas 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\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicholas Gonzales, Executive Director of the San Antonio nonprofit arts organization Bihl Haus Arts<\/a>, has announced the addition of four new staff members.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/new-hires-kathleen-mitchell-600x414.jpg\")
<\/a>Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/new-hires-Michele-Leal.png\")
<\/a>Michele Leal<\/p>\n![\"Side-by-side](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/new-hires-Vanessa-Hadox-and-Amy-Henry-600x373.png\")
<\/a>Vanessa Hadox and Amy Henry<\/p>\n![\"Arts](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/new-hires-Mike-Brennan-Megan-Henderson-600x400.jpg\")
<\/a>Megan Henderson and Mike Brennan<\/p>\n
![\"Five](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/new-hires-Bihl-Haus-Staff-2026-600x450.jpg\")
<\/a>(Left to right) Ariana Runner, Beth Dominguez, Sarah Shore, Bunny Keefer, Nicholas Gonzales<\/p>\n