The Cedars Union, a nonprofit artist incubator in Dallas, has named Emma Vernon as its new Executive Director. Matthew Bowdon, co-founder of The Cedars Union, most recently served as Executive Director and Creative Director, with Rachel Stanfield serving as Managing Director.
In a press release, Caroline Kim, Board Chair of The Cedars Union, stated, “After ten years, The Cedars Union has established itself as a crucial hub for emerging and mid-career artists in North Texas. Emma is the right person at the right time to take our proven model and elevate it to the next level.”
Emma Vernon
Ms. Vernon joined The Cedars Union last year as Director of Development and Marketing. In her time with the organization, she has led strategic planning efforts and major fundraising initiatives. Most notably, she recently secured a $500,000 unrestricted grant from The Eugene McDermott Foundation.
Grace Cook, a Trustee of The Eugene McDermott Foundation, commented, “The Eugene McDermott Foundation’s investment in The Cedars Union is about more than just funding — it’s about ensuring that artists in Dallas have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We believe in the power of artists to shape the cultural identity of North Texas, and we hope this gift encourages others to step forward and invest in the future of our creative community.”
Ms. Vernon remarked, “The Cedars Union plays a critical role in ensuring that artists have the resources, space, and support they need to build sustainable careers. This gift from The Eugene McDermott Foundation comes at a pivotal moment, as our seed funding came to an end in 2024. They have stepped forward to help lead investment in the proven model we’ve built for artists, demonstrating a deep commitment to strengthening the cultural fabric of North Texas.”
Prior to her time at The Cedars Union, Ms. Vernon served as the Senior Director of Individual Giving and Membership at the Dallas Zoo. From 2010 to 2017, she held various membership positions at the Dallas Museum of Art. Ms. Vernon holds BA degrees in Government and Art History from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to her professional career, she served as a board member for Texas Vignette for four years and currently serves on the organization’s Advisory Council.
