MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager
(361) 729-5519 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com
TEXANS FOR THE ARTS WELCOMES LUIS PURÓN TO ITS BOARD,
STRENGTHENING ARTS FUNDING ADVOCACY IN THE COASTAL BEND
ROCKPORT, Texas (Aug. 7, 2023) — Texans for the Arts (TFA), the highly effective non-partisan statewide arts advocacy organization, today announced the addition of Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) Executive Director Luis Purón to its esteemed board. With a mission to champion an unwavering public commitment to the arts, TFA remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting policies and developing resources for the arts and culture industries. As the organization continues to grow, Purón brings a wealth of expertise and passion to further enrich the arts landscape in Rockport.
"Luis’s commitment to our mission, coupled with his various areas of expertise will most certainly strengthen our collective voice and advocacy efforts in the years ahead," said Christopher Kiley, associate director of Texans for the Arts.
In its pursuit of advancing the arts in Texas, TFA is attentive to new legislation and emerging statewide concerns. Ready to make advocacy decisions collaboratively with its members and partners, TFA recognizes the invaluable role of citizen voices in shaping legislative decisions. Advocacy empowers communities to convey the importance of arts funding, ensuring a brighter future for the cultural fabric of our state.
“I am honored to be selected for this prestigious board position with Texans for the Arts,” said Purón. “As the executive director for Rockport Center for the Arts, I understand the importance of art in a community and look forward to working with TFA as we work to advocate for and promote the Arts throughout Texas.”
Purón embodies a deep commitment to enriching the arts and cultural heritage of Texas. Through his dedication and experience, he is poised to play a pivotal role in driving Texans for the Arts mission forward.
“One of the most critical roles in organizational health and strength is that of Board service,” said Ann S. Graham, Executive Director of Texans for the Arts. “This year's slate of Directors joining our current Board possess a collective passion for the arts matched with a determination to ensure our field has the vital resources we need to continue to thrive. We are thrilled that they have chosen to invest their time and energy with us. Welcome aboard!”
Purón has served as executive director for Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) since 2015, working to elevate the organization to new levels of prominence and recognition in the United States. Under his leadership, RCA has developed new art education activities, programs for the visual, culinary, and performing arts, as well as new festivals and events, which have boosted cultural tourism and economic development of Rockport, Texas, recognized as one of the top ten artist colonies in the country. One of the most notable accomplishments of Purón’s tenure has been the development and opening of the new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus following the destruction of the previous building during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The new RCA is the first multi-disciplinary arts organization in the Coastal Bend region of the State of Texas, featuring a 14,000-square-foot visual arts and education building, an 8,000-square-foot conference center, and a 16,000-square-foot sculpture garden. Since its inauguration in December 2022, RCA tourism visitation has tripled, and revenue has doubled.
Texans for the Arts remains committed to fostering deeper connections between the arts community and elected officials. As the organization celebrates its new board members, it looks to the future with optimism, embracing the transformative power of advocacy to shape a more vibrant and culturally enriched Texas.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Luis Purón photo credit: Pamela Keyman Fulcher
About Texans for the Arts and Texans for the Arts Foundation
Texans for the Arts and Texans for the Arts Foundation are committed to increasing public funding for the arts through the legislative process, engaging arts administrators, and building a broad constituency of citizen advocates. For more information about Texans for the Arts and the upcoming leadership transition, please visit: Texans for the Arts: http://www.texansforthearts.com
Texans for the Arts (TFA) is a highly effective, non-partisan, statewide nonprofit 501(c)(4) arts advocacy organization that organizes advocacy efforts in order to protect and increase public funding for the arts at the state, national and local levels and provides coordinated information about legislative activity related to arts issues. Texans for the Arts’ legislative agenda advocates for the development and implementation of public policy that supports a strong and vibrant arts and cultural industry.
Texans For the Arts Foundation (TFAF) is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides professional development and advocacy education for both arts administrators and committed arts’ supporters to build a broad constituency of citizen advocates.
Together, Texans for the Arts Foundation and Texans for the Arts bring together voices of arts leaders, board members from arts organizations, and committed supporters from across the state to amplify the collective voice for increasing public funding for the arts.
We see a world where all Texans champion the arts as essential to our lives.
About Rockport Center for the Arts and The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)
The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, including a 4,400-square-foot ballroom and culinary arts kitchen (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 729-5519. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.
###