Fort Worth, TX – Texas Center for Arts + Academics (TCA+A) has announced the creation of a new Advancement Department, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance operations, community relations, and better serve its students.

Lauren Deen Whitson, a seasoned fundraising and development professional with 18 years of experience, will lead the new department as the Chief Advancement Officer. In her new role, Whitson will oversee all fundraising, admission, marketing, alumni relations, and donor engagement initiatives. Whitson joined Texas Center for Arts + Academics in January 2022 as the Development Director. Prior to joining TCA+A, she served as Director of Operations and Director of Membership & Marketing for the Katy Trail in Dallas, TX.

Gabi Galloway, who joined TCA+A in 2021, has been promoted to Director of Admissions and Community Outreach. Galloway is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts and is an engaged member of the local art community. She began her career at TCA+A as a faculty member for Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts before moving into an administrative role. In her new role, Galloway will lead efforts to attract and enroll talented students and strengthen ties with the community.

Monica Sheehan, another experienced member of the TCA+A team, will continue in the role of Director of Marketing and Communications as an integral part of the Advancement Department. Sheehan has been with TCA+A since 2019 and leads all marketing, social media, and communications efforts.

Paula Fukuhara will be joining the Advancement team as Advancement Coordinator. In this role, Fukuhara will support the Chief Advancement Officer and the rest of the team in all aspects of event management, fundraising, and donor engagement.

“We have incredibly talented and hard-working staff at Texas Center for Arts and Academics who impress me every day,” said Whitson. “It made sense for communications, admissions, and fundraising to join forces and work together. When one of these areas succeed – it’s a win for all of us.”

In 2022, with financial support from the Sid W. Richardson foundation, TCA+A began a strategic planning engagement with the S&G Group. The formation of the Advancement Department is just one of the initiatives to come from this plan. TCA+A is committed to looking ahead to build a stronger and more sustainable artistic center to engage and educate as many young people as possible.

The organizational changes will take effect May 1, 2023.

Texas Center for Arts + Academics’ mission is to inspire and empower students with a lifelong passion for learning, academic achievement, and artistic excellence. TCA+A’s history dates back more than 75 years to the origin of the Texas Boys Choir. Today, TCA+A manages two charter schools, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and Texas School of the Arts, three premiere choirs, and after-school conservatory programs that provide a vast array of professional training in Dance, Music, and Visual Art. TCA+A is located in the creative hub of Fort Worth, Texas with more than 1,000 youth enrolled in its schools, conservatories, and summer programs annually.

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For more information, please contact:
Monica Sheehan, Director of Marketing and Communications
monica.sheehan@artsacademics.org
artsacademics.org