Megan Henderson is the Cultural Director of Near Southside, Inc. where she works with, and advocates for, the residents, small business owners, anchor institutions, entrepreneurs, and creative stakeholders of Fort Worth’s 1400-acre Near Southside district. She is the producer of various events and community programs including ArtsGoggle, Open Streets, and Friday on the Green and recently launched a new music series called Lost ‘N Sound. She founded the Near Southside’s community-led public art program Art South and has helped to facilitate dozens of commissions for accessible artworks that enrich the community. She is also the co-founder of the Near Southside’s community art gallery, The Pool, which provides opportunity to local artists to advance their careers. She takes pride in promoting the development work and artistic contributions found in the Near Southside, a diverse community where stakeholders of all perspectives are valued. Passionate about place, Megan believes that a community who is invested in each other is the most valuable catalyst for urban revitalization with equitable gentrification.
A mother to Esme age 14, partner to a glass and ceramics artist Tatara Siegel, and a passionate community advocate – she hopes to read more, travel further, find joy in the pursuits of others and find peace in those of her own. She serves on the Visit Fort Worth Marketing Committee, is currently serving as Chairman of the Board for Arts Fort Worth and enjoys volunteering for The Welman Project, Trinity Pride FW, and various other non-profit partners whom she works closely with in the Near Southside.
Megan attended Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, but left before graduating for both financial and personal reasons. She has enjoyed a hands-on education from generous mentors and has over 17 years of experience in community development. She is a former employee of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. where she enjoyed her first foray into community development work.