The Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) has appointed Taylor Jackson as its next CEO. Ms. Jackson has served as Interim CEO since the departure of John Abodeely in November 2024.
In a press release, Michele Leal Farah, HAA’s Board Chair, stated, “The Houston arts ecosystem is both a vibrant part of Houston’s identity and a critical economic driver in our region. Taylor’s visionary leadership and proven track record of innovation and equity-building are exactly what HAA needs to continue to help artists and arts organizations be bold, productive, and strong.”
Taylor Jackson. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arts Alliance.
Ms. Jackson joined HAA in 2022 as the Director of Grants. In her role, she worked to create more equitable and transparent processes, including launching the Grants Working Groups, which increased communication with applicants and gathered community input regarding funding decisions. Ms. Jackson also led an initiative to increase grant applications, and under her direction applications numbers reached historic highs.
Prior to joining HAA, Ms. Jackson served as the Executive Director at Providence ¡CityArts! for Youth in Providence, Rhode Island. In that capacity, she acted as a liaison between governance, financial planning, and strategic alignment. She holds an MA in Public Humanities from Brown University and a BA in History from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.
Ms. Jackson is the first woman and the first person of color to lead HAA in its 19-year history. Regarding her new position, Ms. Jackson remarked, “I am honored to lead Houston Arts Alliance into its next chapter. This role presents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen how HAA supports and advocates for Houston’s remarkable and diverse arts and cultural sector. With our dedicated staff and a deepened collaboration with the City, we will continue championing a dynamic and thriving arts ecosystem for Houston.”
1 comment
A remarkable talent!