FRESH ARTS ANNOUNCES ANGELA CARRANZA AS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
With Over a Decade of Experience at Fresh Arts, Angela Carranza Will Lead the Nonprofit and Continue its Mission of Serving Houston’s Vibrant Local Arts Community
HOUSTON (February 1, 2022) – Fresh Arts is proud to announce the appointment of Angela Carranza as the new Executive Director of the organization, effective February 1, 2022.
In the past decade, Carranza has served Fresh Arts as the organization’s intern, Administration + Operations Assistant and Programs + Artists Services Manager. Most recently, Carranza was appointed as the Managing Director in January 2021 where she closely worked alongside Fresh Arts’ outgoing Executive Director, Marci Dallas. During her tenure at Fresh Arts, Carranza has leveraged her past business and creative experience to provide career-building support to emerging local artists.
“Even before I began working with Fresh Arts, I recognized the need for an organization like this. I had spent years living with self-doubt as an artist and generally unsure of where my career path would take me. Then nearly 11 years ago, I walked through the office doors for the first time and felt an immediate connection with the organization. I felt understood and accepted. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of artists and feel embraced by the community that Fresh Arts works to support,” said Carranza
“In 2022, Fresh Arts is celebrating its 20th anniversary,” Carranza continued. “This milestone is a time to reflect on Fresh Arts’ past impact while also dreaming about how the organization can continue championing Houston artists in the next 20 years. I look forward to leading Fresh Arts and continuing to serve Houston’s vibrant community of artists.”
Fresh Arts’ outgoing Executive Director, Marci Dallas, has been with the organization since 2016. Dallas will oversee the executive director transition with Fresh Arts’ board of directors to ensure a seamless transition, which will position Fresh Arts for success in the future.
“I am so proud to have served as Executive Director for Fresh Arts. A core value of Fresh Arts is to never stop learning, listening and responding to the world around us,” said Dallas. “I have taken this value to heart as I embark on a Ph.D. program focused on the impact of artist communities and cultural districts on cities. In my time at Fresh Arts, I have seen Angela’s dedication to those that we serve and her commitment to the organization. I have full confidence in her ability to lead the organization into the future. I look forward to continuing to work with Angela to ensure a smooth executive transition while completing the projects that we have planned for Arts District Houston this year.”
“It has been an honor to work with Marci and Fresh Arts’ board of directors on this executive transition,” said Fresh Arts Board President Michael Umansky. “Angela’s experience at Fresh Arts is a natural fit as the next Executive Director. She possesses the institutional knowledge and passion in our mission to ensure the future of Fresh Arts is secured in doing good for the thriving Houston arts community. The board fully supports Angela’s vision and looks forward to where she leads the organization toward its next 20 years.”
To learn more about Fresh Arts, contact daral@fresharts.org
STAFF BIOS:
https://archive.fresharts.org/about-fresh-arts/team/
ABOUT FRESH ARTS:
Fresh Arts, a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation, nurtures a local ecosystem designed to position artists for success. Fresh Arts’ programs help advance the careers of local artists by complementing their artistic practices through carefully cultivated communities that facilitate shared resources, knowledge, experiences and audiences. Fresh Arts achieves this through resource sharing, skill building initiatives and through artist-centered communities programs. For more information, visit www.fresharts.org
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