Wesley Copeland, executive director of Brazosport Fine Arts Council and The Center for the Arts & Sciences, was named to the board of directors for the Texans for the Arts (TFA) in late July.

The statewide organization’s mission is non-partisan arts legislative advocacy and the development of resources for the arts & culture industries. As TFA’s reach and influence continues to grow, Copeland brings a wealth of expertise and passion to further enrich the arts landscape in the upper Texas coastal region.

“Wesley’s commitment to our mission, coupled with his various areas of expertise will most certainly strengthen our collective voice and advocacy efforts in the years ahead,” said Christopher Kiley, associate director of Texans for the Arts.

Copeland wrote a case study describing the cities of Clute and Lake Jackson’s collaboration to support art and culture in the Brazosport region. The study was included in TFA’s Hotel Occupancy Tax Toolkit, a resource published on the organization’s website.

Copeland looks forward to making a more focused impact through his role on the TFA board.

“I am passionate about enriching the arts and cultural heritage of Texas, especially here in southern Brazoria County,” he said. “Joining Texans for the Arts’ board allows me to amplify my efforts and advocate even more effectively for the arts along the upper Texas coast.”

Copeland joins more than 30 executives of arts and culture organizations from across Texas on the board of the Austin-based organization.

“One of the most critical roles in organizational health and strength is that of board service,” said TFA Executive Director Ann S. Graham. “This year’s slate of directors joining our board possess a collective passion for the arts, matched with a determination to ensure our field has the vital resources we need to continue to thrive. We are thrilled that they have chosen to invest their time and energy with us.”

Copeland has been the executive director of Brazosport Fine Arts Council and The Center for the Arts & Sciences since 2015. Prior to joining The Center, he was an early staff member of the Eisemann Center in Richardson and taught Theatre Arts for Brazosport ISD, Mabank ISD and Fort Bend ISD.

Copeland has served on several boards and committees, including Brazosport Center Stages, Community Actors of South Texas (Bay City), Trans-Atlantic Theatre Arts Exchange (founder), Brazosport Rotary (serving as president in 2021-2022), Houston Arts Alliance’s Disaster Resiliency and the Arts in the Houston Area Report advisory committee and Sweeny Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He currently serves on the City of Lake Jackson’s Hotel Occupancy Tax advisory committee, as president of Clute Visitors Bureau’s board of directors, and on the operations committee for the Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County.