Staff Directory
Veletta Forsythe Lill
Executive Director
In January of 2009 Veletta Forsythe Lill accepted a newly created position – Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District at Downtown Dallas, Inc. – with the mission “dedicated to stimulating the economic and cultural life of the region through the promotion of the district.” In her role As Executive Director she coordinates the diverse organizations of the arts-centric neighborhood in joint operational planning and marketing efforts – enhancing, highlighting and showcasing the internationally recognized district.
Previously Ms. Lill served 8 years on the Dallas City Council (1997-2005) where she chaired the council’s Arts, Education and Libraries Committee and the city’s Comprehensive Plan Committee. Her support of arts infrastructure led to a number of successful initiatives from the expansion of the boundaries of the city’s Arts District to the creation of a Cultural Facilities Master Plan. During her tenure, several new municipally owned cultural facilities opened to wide acclaim, including the Ricardo Legorretta designed Latino Cultural Center. In addition, voters approved over $100 million in municipal bond support for libraries and cultural facilities, including the seed investment for the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Her advocacy work extended also to privately funded facilities, including the opening of the Nasher Sculpture Center.
While she has been an advocate for the creation of new and revitalized cultural facilities, both public and private, she has also championed programming efforts. During Ms. Lill’s tenure as Chairwoman, the city partnered with the Dallas Independent School District to create ArtsPartners, a nationally recognized arts-in-education program for elementary school children. As a former Mayoral appointee to the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau board Ms. Lill led efforts to promote cultural tourism and film production in the city.
She moved to Dallas in 1985, and soon after began her career with mutual funds giant, Fidelity Investments. In addition to her work with Fidelity, the city and the arts, she has served on numerous community and civic boards. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Parkland Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. She has been honored with a number of awards in the arts including TITAS’ Tom Adams Award of Appreciation, the Dallas Contemporary’s Legends Award and the Dance Council of North Texas’ Service to Dance Award. In April 2006, her work on behalf of the Arts District, urban planning and historic preservation led to her acceptance of the American Planning Association’s Distinguished Leadership Award for an Elected Official.
She holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Community Health from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Michele Loftus
Marketing Coordinator
Michele is responsible for contributing to all aspects of The Dallas Arts District’s marketing efforts, including social media, graphic design, digital media, and website maintenance. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2009 with a B.F.A. in Studio Art and a concentration in drawing and painting. Michele joined the Dallas Arts District in February of 2010 as a part-time marketing intern, and has since worked her way up to the Marketing Coordinator position. Her past experience includes over three years of work with arts and nonprofit organizations, including a marketing and communications position with Fort Worth Opera and a stint on the board of directors for the Plano Arts Association. Michele strongly believes in the role the arts play in enriching people’s lives and is always seeking out creative ways to engage new audiences. Her interests include visual arts, opera, experimenting with new forms of digital media, camping, hiking, traveling, and her two border collies.
telephone: 214.744.6642
loftus@downtowndallas.org
Doug Thompson
Volunteer Coordinator
Doug Thompson is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Dallas Arts District. In that role he recruits, schedules and supervises all volunteers at events and at the NorthPark Information Desk presented by Cadillac. Doug is a Dallas native and proud product of the Dallas Independent School District. Doug received his Bachelor of Business Administration from TCU and his MFA/Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College. Doug’s career in New York City spanned Broadway and touring productions including his service at the Broadway League overseeing the National Touring Theater Council. Doug returned to his native Dallas and has served with numerous arts, cultural and theatrical production organizations using his skills in General Management, Finance, Marketing and Fund Development. Doug is an active community and cultural advocate.
voicemail: 214.744.6659
thompson@downtowndallas.org
