Cynthia Calabrese Bio

Cynthia Calabrese came to the Dallas Museum of Art in December 2014 and has more than 30 years of fundraising and philanthropic giving experience, primarily at visual and performing arts institutions, including nine years of prior service as Development Director at the Dallas Theater Center. She joined the DMA from Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), where she was its founding Chief Development Officer since February 2013. She launched the association’s development operation and was responsible for all aspects of raising contributed income for an organizational budget of $5 million.  

From 2004 to 2013, Cynthia led the development team at the Dallas Theater Center, where she was responsible for the creation and implementation of a fundraising strategy to meet and sustain operational goals. She also managed the daily operations of a $13 million Advancement Campaign and developed a five-year strategic plan to increase giving by 40%. 

In 2003, Cynthia moved to Dallas from North Carolina after serving as the Managing Director of the Porter Center for Performing Arts at Brevard College, creating an annual subscription season, increasing the subscriber base over 1800% within five years and generating a sponsorship program. She joined the Porter Center in 1996 as its Campaign Director. From 1988 to 1992, Cynthia held development roles at various cultural institutions in Atlanta, including the High Museum of Art, The Robert Shaw Institute, and the Atlanta Preservation Center. She began her career in fundraising at her alma mater, Shorter College, in Rome, Georgia, as Assistant Development Director, after receiving a Bachelor of Music in piano. 

In her role at the DMA, Cynthia is responsible for planning and implementing all aspects of the DMA’s fundraising efforts. She reports to Agustín Arteaga, the Eugene McDermott Director, and works in close partnership with all members of the Museum’s senior leadership team, trustees, staff and volunteers, and the community to support the Museum’s mission.