ARTS Summit 2026

ARTSforward Schedule

Saturday 2/28
ARTSforward 2026 Schedule

Doors Open at 8:00 a.m. – Registration/Check-In, Visit our Partner Tables! , Music playing, dancers dancing, singers signing – activity happening everywhere! 

9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks, Master of Ceremonies, Sam Santiago

9:10 a.m. State of the Arts in Fort Worth – Annual Address, Wesley Gentle, Executive Director and President of Arts Fort Worth

9:40 a.m. Report on our first Youth Day Summit – Ruby Macnab
 
9:50 a.m. Recap Heart of Gold award winners 

10:00 a.m. Arts Connection Activity 

10:20 a.m. Art in Public Spaces Panel moderated by Mark Thistlethwaite, featuring: Nansii Downer, Margo Gordon, Alida Labbe, Kirsten Maiwald, Heidi Tournoux-Hanshaw

11:30 a.m. Networking Activity 

11:50 a.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Keynote Address: Arts Advocacy Across Texas moderated by Wesley Gentle, featuring Chris Kiley and Krystal Jones 

1:45 p.m. Evolution of the Film Industry in Fort Worth, moderated by Tyler Germaine, featuring: Austin Flores, Taylor Hardy, Red Sanders

2:45 p.m. What’s next for Arts Fort Worth?, Wesley Gentle and Friends discuss future events, Culturalyst, Grant Cycles, the needs of the Fort Worth ecosystem, etc.

3:15 p.m. After Party Reception – music, networking

4:00 p.m. Program Ends

Arts Fort Worth Summit Mar28 2025 V9A2261 JulienLambertPhoto HR3
Arts fort worth summit mar28 2025 v9a1832 julienlambertphoto hr3
Arts Fort Worth Summit Mar28 2025 V9A1860 JulienLambertPhoto HR3
Arts Fort Worth Summit Mar28 2025 V9A1968 JulienLambertPhoto HR3
Faces

Meet Keynote Speakers Chris Kiley and Krystal Jones

Join Us

Become a Part of Fort Worth’s Arts Community

Support local artists and cultural programs by donating, volunteering, or subscribing to our newsletter for updates on events.

Texas Commission on the Arts Logo
City of Fort Worth Logo
National Endowment for the Arts logo
Scroll to Top