Houston: Mayor Names Accomplished Community Leader to Serve as Arts Director

February 13, 2026 ~ Houston, TX - Mayor John Whitmire has announced the appointment of Michele Leal as the new Director of the Office of Arts for the City of Houston. With over 15 years of experience in communications and public affairs, Leal will provide strategic guidance on the city's art investments and advocate for arts and related projects throughout Houston.

Prior to this role, Leal served as the mayoral-appointed Chair of the Houston Arts Alliance, a nonprofit agency responsible for implementing the city's vision, values, and goals for arts grantmaking and civic art investments. Her dedication to supporting and educating Houston's Hispanic community earned her the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Award in 2025.

Leal brings a wealth of experience from her work with various consulting clients and leading fundraising efforts for multi-million-dollar capital campaigns. She also served as Development Director for El Centro de Corazón, where she managed communications and fundraising for a federally designated community health center serving uninsured and underinsured Latino patients.

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Expressing her gratitude to Mayor Whitmire for entrusting her with this role, Leal stated, "He is a visionary leader who understands that the arts are essential to a thriving city and contribute to the quality of our neighborhoods and institutions. I look forward to collaborating with artists and residents to broaden support and access to the arts across our city."

In her new position, Leal will work closely with the City Council Arts and Culture Committee. She will officially assume her duties on March 2, 2026.

Mayor Whitmire expressed his confidence in Leal's abilities, stating, "Michele has the passion, experience, and collaborative spirit to serve as the City's new Director of the Office of Arts. In this role, she will work with our partners, including Houston First and Cultural Districts, to improve access to creative and cultural experiences across the city."

With Leal at its helm, Houston's Office of Arts is poised to continue its mission of promoting and supporting the arts in the city, enriching the lives of its residents and contributing to its vibrant cultural landscape.

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