AUSTIN, TX.- Ricardo Hernandez, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) since 2002, announced his upcoming retirement on August 31, 2007, marking 30 years with the agency. Hernandez was hired by TCA in 1977 as part of the Artist in Residence program and then joined the TCA staff three years later to work on the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) Multi-Cultural Arts Program. In 1983 Hernandez was promoted to Visual Arts Coordinator, and two years later, he became Director of Field Services. Named Deputy Director in 1988, Hernandez served in that position until being named Executive Director in 2002.

“When I first joined TCA, I planned to stay with the agency for about two years because I was anxious to get back into the studio,” said Hernandez. “Now, almost 30 years later, I could not imagine having spent that time with a better group of people working for a better cause. TCA is a great agency that I know will continue to make huge strides in keeping the arts alive in Texas.”

During his time at TCA, Hernandez has played a large role in ensuring the arts thrive in Texas and has been instrumental in strengthening the agency’s programs and initiatives. As Deputy Director, he oversaw the launch of TCA’s Arts Education initiative and was responsible for the creation of Project B.R.I.D.G.E, an inner city community artist residency program conducted in housing projects throughout the state. Project B.R.I.D.G.E., in partnership with AmeriCorp Vista, conducted the nation’s largest allocation for "America Reads" summer programs.

In 1997, Hernandez was integral in moving the agency to an electronic system for conducting business. TCA became the first state arts agency in the nation to operate a full-service network for the arts on the Internet with the launch of its TCAnet Web site. TCAnet has garnered national attention and is still considered the most comprehensive technological system of any state arts agency.

“Rick has been an invaluable part of TCA’s success and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to serve the agency during his time here,” said Victoria Lightman, Chair of the TCA Board of Directors. “His personal commitment to his work and unrelenting devotion to the arts is inspiring to all who have had the pleasure of working with him. He will be missed, but I am confident that he will remain a life-long advocate for TCA and the arts in Texas.”

The search for a new Executive Director will begin in spring 2007 under a search committee appointed by Lightman. Hernandez, a visual artist, plans to get back to what he loves most and return to the studio. Additionally, he hopes to pursue his own entrepreneurial ventures.