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<\/p>\nThis week, the Dallas Arts District announced its new Executive Director: Ahava Silkey-Jones.<\/p>\n
Silkey-Jones comes to her new role with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education, nonprofit management, arts administration and civic engagement. As Vice Provost of the School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design at Dallas College, Silkey-Jones led academic strategy, programming and industry partnerships across seven campuses for the arts.<\/p>\n
She received 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 and serves on numerous local and national boards dedicated to advancing arts, education and community engagement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Dallas Arts District is one of America’s great cultural neighborhoods\u2014a place where creativity inspires community, strengthens the economy and enriches everyday life,\u201d said Silkey-Jones. \u201cI’m honored to join this extraordinary organization at such an exciting moment. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
This appointment comes after Lily Cabatu Weiss retired from the role at the end of January after nine years. Former Board Chair Jill Magnuson served as the role of Interim Executive Director, providing continuity while helping guide the organization through future planning and positioning it for its next chapter. She will return to volunteer service with the organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cJill’s leadership during this transition was invaluable,\u201d said Warren Tranquada, Chair of the Dallas Arts District Board of Directors and President & CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center.. \u201cShe provided stability while also helping establish a clear vision for the future. Her work has left the organization stronger, and we are grateful she will continue supporting the Dallas Arts District as a volunteer leader.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\tCarter RoseCarter Rose<\/p>\n
The Winspear Opera House sits at the heart of the Dallas Arts District.<\/p>\n
Silkey-Jones will have a significant portfolio to oversee when she steps into the job. The Dallas Arts District is home to 19 cultural organizations across 118 acres of Downtown Dallas. It is the largest urban arts district in the United States. The Dallas Arts District organization recently adopted a new strategic vision focused on advocacy, placemaking, safety, infrastructure, programming and sustainable growth; expanded partnerships across the district; advanced initiatives to create a more vibrant public realm.<\/p>\n
The organization points to events held during this summer\u2019s nine FIFA World Cup matches in North Texas as an example of this new strategic vision in action. The Dallas Arts District hosted the Texas premiere of RedBall Dallas by artist Kurt Perschke. \u00a0Over ten days in June, the work unfolded at various locations throughout the Dallas Arts District, including the Winspear Opera House, the Meyerson Symphony Center and the Dallas Museum of Art. Four major festivals showcased the neighborhood\u2019s venues, public spaces and iconic architecture for hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis organization\u2019s role in shaping downtown\u2019s quality of life, economic vitality and global identity has never been more important,\u201d Tranquada said. \u201cAhava understands that success is built through collaboration and shared purpose. She\u2019s spent her career bringing people together across sectors to create lasting community impact and will continue that as she builds on the remarkable momentum of the Dallas Arts District.\u201d<\/p>\n