Summary
Description
Executive Director, Dallas Arts District
Organization: Dallas Arts District
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posted: April 6, 2026
About the Dallas Arts District
The Dallas Arts District is a prominent organization located in Dallas, Texas. The District serves as the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States, the District encompasses a wide range of cultural, educational, and commercial entities within the city. Its location in Dallas, Texas, positions it as a central hub for creative and economic activity, bringing together museums, performing arts groups, businesses, residents, and institutions in a vibrant urban neighborhood.
Executive Director
The new executive leader of the Dallas Arts District will have the opportunity to create a new vision to grow the organization through a value-added vision with direct engagement from the Board, cultural constituents, commercial businesses and residents.
Position Overview
The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the principal leader, advocate, and public representative of the Dallas Arts District (the District). Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for advancing the District’s vision and mission to enhance the city’s creative and economic life by engaging artistic, educational, and commercial partners. This position provides strategic vision, leadership, and operational management for all activities of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy
- Provide vision, advocacy, and leadership consistent with the District’s new vision, mission and strategic goals.
- The new ED will need to align major cultural institutions, commercial stakeholders, residents and city and civic leadership.
- Lead a period of strategic growth, including expanding the organization’s budget, fundraising capacity, and district-wide impact.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the District’s stakeholders, city leaders and strive to cultivate partnerships and coalitions that advance the District’s goals with all constituencies.
- Collaborate with the Board to update and implement the organization’s Strategic and Community Development Plans.
- Represent the District as its’ chief spokesperson locally, nationally, and internationally.
External Relations and Advocacy
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the District’s stakeholders, city leaders and strive to cultivate partnerships and coalitions that advance the District’s goals with all constituencies.
- Advocate for arts, culture, and urban development issues that impact the District.
- ED serves as a Board of Governors member on the Downtown Dallas, Inc. Board of Governors.
Placemaking, Urban Planning and Development
- Prior experience in urban planning and development will be an asset for this position, which involves working closely with private interests and city leadership to ensure contemporary plans are in place and goals are achieved. Success in this role will require building strong, positive relationships with the City of Dallas and peer organization leadership.
- Must understand how to activate the Dallas Arts District and increase foot traffic and time spent in the District. The District should incorporate arts and commerce into everyday activities.
- Ensuring public safety is paramount to increased activity.
Fundraising and Development
- Demonstrate lead fundraising and sponsorship initiatives to increase budget, support programs and operations.
- Built new revenue streams through corporate, civic, and philanthropic resources. Prior experience in a fundraising environment is the key to success in this area.
- Engage local, national, and international partners to enhance visibility and resources for the District.
Operations and Planning
- Oversee the staff and day-to-day operations of the organization through self or subordinates. Update staffing plans to align with growth of the organization.
- Develop annual budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Identify and address operational issues within the District, and endeavor to be part of the solution.
- Prepare reports and presentations for the Board, executive committees, and stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, business, public administration, urban planning, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years experience in urban districts, public-private partnerships, or similarly complex civic environments strongly preferred.
- Senior-level leadership experience. Experience in a like non-profit a plus.
- Proven success in advocacy, management, fundraising, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strong understanding of urbanism, public improvement districts (PIDs), and community planning.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Experience with or knowledge of the arts, government relations, real estate, or civic development is highly desirable.
Compensation
The Dallas Arts District offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.
Application Process
Qualified candidates should submit a resume and salary requirements to HR@dallasartsdistrict.org
The Dallas Arts District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
