Texas Arts Organizations Announce Leadership Changes in Midland, Houston, and Dallas
Leadership transitions are occurring within several Texas arts organizations. Jessica Kinsey has been appointed Executive Director of the Museum of the Southwest in Midland, filling the role left by Dwight Alworth. Previously, Kinsey directed the Southern Utah Museum of Art, where she achieved significant funding and revenue growth. In Houston, the Art League has announced new leadership, with Tyler L. Hough as Board President, joined by Mitra Murthy as Vice President and Liz Klingensmith as Treasurer. The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft has also appointed new board members, while Ahava Silkey-Jones becomes the Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District.
Key facts
- Jessica Kinsey was named Executive Director of the Museum of the Southwest in Midland on Tuesday, September 15, during its 60th anniversary year.
- Kinsey begins her role on Thursday, October 1, as the museum opens Unreliable Narrator by Bryce Holt.
- Kinsey spent eight years at the Southern Utah Museum of Art, securing $1 million in philanthropic support and an 89% operating revenue increase.
- Scott O'Donnell served as Museum of the Southwest Executive Director from April 2025 through February 2026; Dwight Alworth was Interim Executive Director for seven months.
- Art League Houston named Tyler L. Hough President, Mitra Murthy Vice President, and Liz Klingensmith Treasurer, with John Luu remaining Secretary.
- ALH added board members Brittany Cox, Yvonne Garcia, Gabrielle Gunn, and Sarah Beth Wilson, and named Bridget Bray Interim Curator after Zhaira Costiniano's May departure.
- The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, in its 25th anniversary year, added Lynn Frostman, Maria Cristina "Tinta" Manrique Henning, and Stephanie Wong Smith to its board.
- Ahava Silkey-Jones became Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District, succeeding interim leader Jill Magnuson after Lily Cabatu Weiss retired following her 2016-2025 tenure.
Entities
Artists
- Jessica Kinsey
- Dwight Alworth
- Scott O'Donnell
- Allan Houser
- Tyler L. Hough
- Mitra Murthy
- Liz Klingensmith
- John Luu
- Brittany Cox
- Yvonne Garcia
- Gabrielle Gunn
- Sarah Beth Wilson
- Zhaira Costiniano
- Bridget Bray
- Lynn Frostman
- Maria Cristina "Tinta" Manrique Henning
- Stephanie Wong Smith
- Leila Cartier
- Ahava Silkey-Jones
- Jill Magnuson
- Lily Cabatu Weiss
- Bryce Holt
Institutions
- Museum of the Southwest
- Art League Houston
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
- Dallas Arts District
- Southern Utah Museum of Art
- Southern Utah University
- Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
- University of Oklahoma
- Saludos Connection
- Dallas College
- Harvard University
- Roosevelt University
- DePaul University
- Glasstire
Locations
- Midland
- Houston
- Dallas
- Texas
- United States
- Sugar Land
- North Texas
- Utah
- Oklahoma
- Chicago