Ron Thompson

I am the Founding Executive Director of the Duncanville Arts Foundation, where I work at the intersection of arts, investment, and community development. My focus is building the research, partnerships, funding strategies, and institutional capacity needed to support a stronger creative economy in Duncanville and southwest Dallas County.

Previously, I served as the founding Chair of the Duncanville Arts Commission. Working with fellow commissioners, City Council, city staff, other boards and commissions, and community stakeholders, I helped advance a new framework for local cultural policy. During that period, Duncanville established the Duncanville Arts Fund, formally recognized National Arts and Humanities Month, and designated the Armstrong Park Cultural District.

My broader work spans portfolio development, philanthropic strategy, venture development, and cross-sector partnerships. I have supported early-stage ventures across disciplines and advised organizations on positioning, capitalization, and sustainable operating models. Modern Luxury described me as a “creative capitalist,” a phrase that reflects my longstanding interest in using investment thinking to create opportunities for artists, cultural organizations, and creative communities.

I am a member of Texans for the Arts and participated in advocacy during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, supporting statewide efforts that secured a $7.9 million increase in funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts for the 2026–2027 biennium.