Houston's innovative hub of all things contemporary craft and art now has an equally innovative new face. Leila Cartier is Houston Center for Contemporary Craft's (HCCC) new executive director, the organization announced. She will assume her new role on July 17.

Most recently the executive director of CraftNOW Philadelphia, Cartier is credited with deftly leading the nonprofit that unites institutions, scholars, and artists to promote craft making in the city. Heralded for her "deep understanding of and connections in the world of contemporary craft," Cartier directed an annual portfolio of activities, featuring Philadelphia’s most renowned arts institutions. She also formed key partnerships and developed programming focused on economic opportunity through craft.

Her bio lauds her work in fortifying the CraftNOW’s mission, while also substantially expanding its range and positioning it prominently within the city’s and nation’s cultural landscapes.

Prior to her tenure at CraftNOW, Cartier directed exhibitions at the William King Museum of Art in Abingdon, Virginia — her hometown. She earned an MFA in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and studied Arabic language at Depaul University with a Jacob K. Javits Fellowship.

While pursuing her undergraduate degrees in art and art history from Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, Cartier spent a year in Rome, Italy with Temple University. A hands-on leader, she also maintains a personal studio practice.

Once she assumes her new role, Cartier will work closely with HCCC's board and staff to launch a new strategic planning process focused on expanding the local and national presence of the organization, per HCCC. She will also lead the development of more educational programs and advance HCCC's highly regarded artist residency program.

HCCC also notes in press materials that Cartier is “profoundly committed” to strengthening community partnerships.

“The HCCC Board and staff are full of talent and radiate enthusiasm for the organization,” Cartier notes in a statement. “I am motivated by their desire to implement new, community-informed projects right away, while simultaneously working on ambitious, transformative goals to attain in the near future. With HCCC’s existing networks and excellent programming, I look forward to broadening our reach as a welcoming, imaginative, civic-minded destination and setting a standard for exceptionalism in contemporary craft.”

The HCCC board also looks forward to Cartier's leadership. “We are thrilled to have Leila as our new executive director, noted Judy Nyquist, HCCC's board president, in a statement. “She brings an entrepreneurial spirit, a deep connection to the field of contemporary craft, and an eagerness to expand our reach. We are confident that she has the experience, expertise, and vision to lead HCCC in realizing its full potential in the years to come.”

Supporters and fans of HCCC can meet Cartier at the organization's annual fundraiser, the Crafting a Legacy Spring Luncheon, where she is sure to receive a warm welcome. Notable Houstonians Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, Emily Keeton, and Lea Weingarten will chair the event honoring Nyquist.

Tickets for the luncheon, which will be held at River Oaks Country Club (1600 River Oaks Blvd.) are on sale now and can be found here.