Things are happening at The Cedars Union, a North Texas non-profit incubator. In addition to naming Emma Vernon as its executive director, it has received a great financial “oomph!”
Vernon previously served as senior director at the Dallas Zoo and held roles at the Dallas Museum of Art and Texas Vignette. She most recently was The Cedars’ development and marketing director.
In accepting her new role, Vernon said, “North Texas is home to world-class arts institutions, but individual artists are being left behind. Or they’re choosing to leave North Texas behind, moving away in order to ‘make it.’ The Cedars Union plays a critical role in ensuring that artists have the resources, space and support they need to build sustainable careers.”
In the past decade, thanks to Megan Bowden and Matt Bowden, The Cedars Union”has provided essential resources for North Texas artists, including studio space, access to professional tools, career development programs and a collaborative creative community.”
According to The Cedars Union Board Chair Caroline Kim,”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.”
Additional great news is The Eugene McDermott Foundation’s historical $500,000 unrestricted gift that “comes at a pivotal time in the organization’s growth (and) will support operational sustainability, community expansion and long-term strategic planning, including the incubation of The Cedars Union’s largest cohort of artists to date,” according to Emma.
This gift was timely “as their initial funding from the Bowden Family Foundation had run out at the end of last year, and this provided some much needed runway to continue their mission while seeking broader community support.”
* Photo provided by The Cedars Union ** Photo credit: Sheryl Lanzel
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