The RiNo Art District and RiNo Business Improvement District, which are parting ways, have each named new leaders.
Daisy Fodness-McGowan, who recently headed a local arts education nonprofit, will serve as executive director of the art district.
Terry Madeksza, meanwhile, will become the first executive director of the BID. She hails from Arizona, where she has led similar organizations.
The appointments come at a time of change for both organizations.
The RiNo BID was founded a decade ago and seeks to support and promote businesses within the neighborhood. It is financed by a tax on commercial property.
For its first decade, the BID was managed by the RiNo Art District, a separate organization founded in 2005 that seeks to promote the neighborhood’s art scene.
But last year, with the BID coming up for renewal, some business and property owners criticized the RiNo Art District’s management, saying they felt BID dollars were being spent on art district priorities.
At that point, the art district was led by co-executive directors Sarah Cawrse and Alye Sharp. But the two women submitted their resignations within weeks of each other this spring. Two board members, Adam Larkey and Gerald Horner, were tapped to run the art district in the interim.
The BID was ultimately renewed, but with a major change — it would hire its own staff, rather than outsource management to the art district.
The monthslong turmoil left the RiNo Art District needing a new permanent executive director and the BID needing its first.
Fodness-McGowan, who will lead the art district, most recently served as executive director of Think 360 Arts for Learning. The Denver organization bills itself as Colorado’s leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing arts education and creative engagement across the state.
Before that, Fodness-McGowan was director and chief curator at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Galleries of Contemporary Art, according to a news release. She has a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Colorado College and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in arts administration from the University of Colorado.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to making the arts accessible, sustainable and impactful,” Fodness-McGowan said in a statement. “As executive director, my commitment is to make the case every day that RiNo is Denver’s most accessible arts entity, ensuring equitable access to the arts for all.”
In a statement, RiNo Art District co-founder and board chair Tracy Weil called it “a pivotal moment for RiNo.”
“We knew we needed a leader who could navigate change with confidence, inspire collaboration across the creative community and help us secure financial stability for the long term,” Weil said. “Daisy brings both vision and experience, and we’re confident she’ll guide RiNo into a strong and sustainable future.”
The RiNo Art District reported $4.2 million in revenue and $1.7 million in expenses in 2023, the most recent year for which tax filings are available. It paid its executive director $123,863 that year. Fodness-McGowan earned $93,475 leading Think 360 Arts in 2023, according to that organization’s tax filing.
Madeksza, who will lead the BID starting Oct. 15, most recently served as president and executive director of the Downtown Mesa Association, a business improvement district in Arizona’s third-largest city, which is near Phoenix.
Before that, according to a news release, Madeksza was executive director of the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, where she established the first business improvement district in the northern Arizona city. She has a bachelor’s degree from American University.
“Urban neighborhoods and creative districts are the heartbeat of our cities, and I’m honored to bring my experience to the RiNo BID,” Madeksza said in a statement. “This community has an incredible foundation of creativity and entrepreneurial energy. My focus will be on delivering real value for property owners and small businesses while collaborating with the RiNo Art District to ensure this remains a destination where creativity thrives, businesses want to grow, and visitors always feel welcome.”
