Thursday, March 28, 2024 Mar 28, 2024
72° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Business

You Need to Know: Katherine Wagner

The CEO of the Business Council for the Arts is merging art and economic development.
By Ashley M. Slayton |
Image
photography by Joshua Martin

Title: CEO of the Business Council for the Arts, a nonprofit arts advocacy organization

Why you need to know her: Because Wagner and her team at the Business Council for the Arts are using culture to reel in Dallas commerce.

The council has dedicated itself to merging two things Dallasites love: art and economic development. “All of our members … subscribe to the idea that you need a strong arts and culture center to create a strong economy,” says Wagner, noting that the arts employ people, boost tourism, and keep dollars in North Texas.

With about 100 members and an annual budget nearing $400,000, the council busies itself organizing research and awareness projects like an economic impact study, Public ArtWalk Dallas, and the Leadership Arts Institute. Membership fees range from $800 to $3,000 and are assessed on a sliding scale, depending on a company’s annual revenue.

Wagner, who headed the Dallas Visual Arts Center for a decade, grabbed the council reins from longtime CEO Pat Porter last year. Now she’s focused on creating new programs and expanding existing ones to further mesh the business community with arts organizations.

Dallas has entered what Wagner calls a modern-day renaissance. She says, “We really need to grab ahold of it, maximize it, optimize it, and enjoy it.”

Related Articles

Image
Arts & Entertainment

Here’s Who Is Coming to Dallas This Weekend: March 28-31

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend. Pencil in some live music in between those egg hunts and brunches.
Image
Arts & Entertainment

Arlington Museum of Art Debuts Two Must-See Nature-Inspired Additions

The chill of the Arctic Circle and a futuristic digital archive mark the grand opening of the Arlington Museum of Art’s new location.
By Brett Grega
Image
Arts & Entertainment

An Award-Winning SXSW Short Gave a Dallas Filmmaker an Outlet for Her Grief

Sara Nimeh balances humor and poignancy in a coming-of-age drama inspired by her childhood memories.
By Todd Jorgenson
Advertisement