Lily Cabatu Weiss Bio

Lily Cabatu Weiss became Executive Director of The Dallas Arts District in 2016. Her goals to create access and connectivity in the Dallas Arts District are seen in the Connect Urban Master Plan, the Signature Block Party Series–a free, family-friendly event featuring international and regional artists attracting over 50,000 visitors, and a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood. Dallas Arts District ranked 1st in USA Today’s 2024 and 2025 10Best Arts Districts. She is proud of her nearly four-decade impact at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts as Chair of the Dance Department and Artistic Director. Much of her work was instrumental in BTWHSPVA’s distinction as a Texas Medal of Art awardee and resulted in her recognition by the Commission on Presidential Scholars in the Arts. 

Her commitment to the arts is reflected by serving on several boards such as TITAS/ DANCE UNBOUND, Downtown Dallas, Inc., while working with Texas Commission on the Arts and internationally with Global Cultural Districts Network. Recent awards span Women Who Steam Award, the Obelisk Award for Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader and D CEO’s Dallas 500 three years in a row. One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is that it requires dedication resilience, a willingness to continuously learn and evolve while pushing boundaries and opening a world of possibilities.