Photo courtesy of Jaren Collins.
Ahava Silkey-Jones will serve as the next executive director of the Dallas Arts District.
Silkey-Jones, who lives in the north Oak Cliff area, brings 15 years of leadership experience in higher education, the nonprofit sector, arts and civic engagement. She most recently served as vice provost of the Dallas College’s School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design.
The Dallas Arts District is home to 19 cultural organizations across 118 acres in Downtown, including museums, venues, and parks.
“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,” she said in a press release.
Silkey-Jones will step into the role following the retirement of longtime Executive Director Lily Weiss in January. Jill Magnuson, former board chair, served as interim executive director and will return to volunteer service with the organization.
“Ahava understands that success is built through collaboration and shared purpose,” Warren Tranquada, Chair of the Dallas Arts District Board of Directors and President & CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, said in a press release. “She’s 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.”
