It’s been an exciting year for The Arts Council, a nonprofit representing the arts, culture, and heritage of the Brazos Valley. Earlier this year they began renovations on a new location and launched a capital campaign for the facility. The Arts Council is excited to keep the momentum going as they announce new leadership for the organization as well as the opening of their new facility. The Arts Council board unanimously selected Sylvia McMullen as its new chief executive officer, effective Oct. 22. McMullen is the second CEO in more than a decade of the 47-year-old organization, and one of many women to lead The Arts Council since its founding. She most recently served as student hire ability navigator with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments where she prepared a three-year strategic plan of community collaboration to employ more 14- to 22-year-old students with disabilities. McMullen brings to the position an extensive background in nonprofit management, as well as leadership roles in both the public and private sector. She has a passion for improving the Brazos Valley community for both residents and guests.
“Sylvia's previous experience offers the Arts Council extensive knowledge and existing relationships throughout the Brazos Valley,"says Pam Smits, president of the Arts Council board of directors. "She has been present and has a working knowledge of a number of milestone moments, most importantly the Arts Council's recent purchase of a new location for exhibits as an arts destination and visitor center for the Brazos Valley. Sylvia's vision for the future of the Arts Council is aligned with the board’s strategic priorities to expand the exhibits in its new location and strengthen its position as a leader and advocate for the Arts Council's 61 affiliates in the Brazos Valley.”
In addition to its new leadership, The Arts Council is excited to announce that they have officially moved from their 2275 Dartmouth location to their new home located at 4180 Hwy 6 South. What once was a fire station has transformed into a new arts gallery and welcome center. The previous fire engine bay now features a beautiful and unique two-tier mezzanine gallery. The new location has doubled their exhibition space and highlights local artists as well as feature travelling exhibits and artists from across the state and nation. Their first art exhibit, Textured Fictions by Dmitri Koustov, opened earlier this month and is on display through Dec. 22. The gallery is open to the public free of charge Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm. If you have a large group interested in seeing the exhibit, contact Brittany Burns at rentals@acbv.org to coordinate the visit.
Since its inception in 1971, The Arts Council has grown to serve the 5,000 square mile Brazos Valley region and, since 2008, has provided more than $6,000,000 in direct funding support to arts organizations throughout the Brazos Valley. Governed by a board of community leaders, The Arts Council continues to faithfully serve as the lead advocate for all arts and culture efforts in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington counties by providing innovative and impactful artistic opportunities to residents and visitors of the region. The Arts Council is dedicated to ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of the Brazos Valley landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present, and future. The Arts Council looks forward to the future as it grows with the community and continues to help enhance the local arts scene. A formal grand opening celebration will be held at a later time. For more information, visit www.ACBV.org.
For more than 45 years The Arts Council has served the community with one driving mission: to make the arts accessible to all residents and visitors of the Brazos Valley through funding, promotion, advocacy, professional development, and partnership building programs. The Arts Council is focused on providing leadership by maintaining and strengthening an arts friendly community, making the quality of life in the Brazos Valley the best that the state has to offer.
McMullen joins the organization at a pivotal and exciting time. Chris Dyer, the previous Arts Council CEO, achieved unprecedented success with a capital campaign, raising $1.9 million towards the purchase of the new home for The Arts Council. This exciting milestone followed eight consecutive years of growth in affiliate membership, business and personal membership, revenue, and community engagement under Dyer’s tenure. Following Dyer’s resignation this summer, the Arts Council Board appointed a seven-person search committee. The committee reviewed a number of excellent candidates from across the country. The Arts Council Board voted unanimously to appoint McMullen.
“I am honored to be chosen by the Arts Council Board in a time when the momentum is strong and our region is growing," says McMullen. "I look forward to contributing to the quality of place for residents and visitors, enhancing our opportunities, and working with the community to continue the foundation laid by Chris Dyer. It's an exciting time."
McMullen has successfully guided the evolution and growth of several organizations through a multitude of challenging circumstances, such as setting and achieving aggressive programmatic and financial goals. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University, a master's in education administration from Texas A&M University, and a jurisprudence doctorate from the University of Houston.
