M’kina Tapscott

Artworks Trenton has announced the appointment of M’kina Tapscott as executive director, beginning January 18. The selection of Tapscott followed an intensive search and selection process. Tapscott succeeds Lauren Otis, executive director since February 2016, who in 2021 announced his intention to step down.

Tapscott’s 15-year career in education, access, curation, and advocacy resonates with Artworks’ mission “to connect community, culture, and creativity through the arts.” Beginning with her work as director of education and programs at Project Row Houses, an art and social service development in Houston, Texas, and continuing through education and outreach positions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Tapscott has championed the primacy of art in building community and advancing social change. Concurrent with her curatorial and administrative work, Tapscott has taught art history and studio art at all levels — most recently at the University of Houston and Houston Community College. A practicing artist, she holds an MFA from the University of Houston and a BFA from Texas State University.

In responding to her appointment, Tapscott said, “As a city, Trenton continues to struggle for resources and recognition despite being the state capital. Artworks is deeply committed to partnering with those working to improve and revitalize Trenton, using art as a change agent, and celebrating human diversity in all its forms. I appreciate the similarities between the communities in Trenton, N.J., and my hometown Houston, Texas. It is in these likenesses of needs, of opportunity and space where positive change can be enacted through deepening connections to people, art, and community. I genuinely believe ‘el arte cambia a la gente y la gente cambia el mundo.’ This is where the work truly lives, and I intend to lead this organization in service of that need to inspire all of greater Mercer County.”

Artworks Trenton, a nonprofit visual arts center, has been providing community-based art and cultural opportunities in Trenton for more than 30 years. In addition to hosting Art All Night and Art All Day, Artworks presents a year-round schedule of exhibitions, art education programs, and public art projects. The city of Trenton provides use of the Artworks facility at 19 Everett Alley in support of Artworks’ work towards developing a thriving and diverse arts community within the city.

For more information, visit artworkstrenton.org.