Fort Worth Opera announces the unanimous election of Katherine Polenz as Chair of its Board of Trustees, ushering in a new era of leadership as the organization launches Match the Momentum: 80 Years of Opera in Fort Worth, an ambitious, multi-year fundraising campaign designed to honor its legacy and secure its future.
Polenz is the Founder of North Star Consulting and former Head of Marketing and Public Relations at the Kimbell Art Museum. Throughout her career, she has served in senior marketing roles at Texas Christian University, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Atlanta Ballet, and Opera Carolina.
“Fort Worth Opera’s legacy is extraordinary, and its future is even more exciting,” said Polenz. “I’m honored to help guide this organization into its next chapter—one rooted in innovation, access, and the belief that opera can and should belong to everyone here in Fort Worth.”
Polenz will lead alongside General and Artistic Director Angela Turner Wilson, continuing a storied legacy of visionary female leadership dating back to the company’s founding in 1946 by three trailblazing women—Eloise MacDonald Snyder, Betty Berry Spain, and Jeanne Axtell Walker. Together, they will shape a bold new era for the company, one defined by artistic excellence, institutional resilience, and deep community engagement. Their shared vision positions Fort Worth Opera as both an incubator for the future of the art form and a creator of genre-defying works rooted in the city’s vibrant cultural heritage.
“For eight decades, Fort Worth Opera has been a cornerstone of the arts in North Texas—a creative force uniting generations through music and storytelling,” said Angela Turner Wilson. “This campaign is a call to action—to invest in the company’s next 80 years and ensure opera continues to inspire, educate, and reflect the community it serves.”
Match the Momentum: 80 Years of Opera in Fort Worth
To mark this leadership transition and the company’s landmark 80th anniversary season, Fort Worth Opera also announces the launch of a four-year fundraising campaign intended to raise one million dollars and unlock new possibilities for opera in Fort Worth.
September 2025 marks Phase One of this broader, four-year initiative. Titled Match the Momentum, this opening phase of the campaign aims to raise $125,000 in new and increased contributions—doubled to $250,000 through a generous matching challenge from several devoted local patrons of the arts.
Match the Momentum’s first $80,000 gift has already been committed, putting the campaign significantly toward its initial goal.
Wilson emphasizes that Match the Momentum is a chance for the community to rally together and claim ownership of the company’s future: “This isn’t just Fort Worth Opera’s moment—it’s Fort Worth’s. Every dollar given, and every story shared, helps ensure the next generation can fall in love with opera in their own neighborhoods, in their own schools, and on their own terms.”
Impact: What Your Support Makes Possible
Match the Momentum isn’t just about numbers; it’s about enriching the cultural lives of Fort Worth residents through the power of opera. Contributions to the campaign directly support:
- Mainstage productions that feature beloved classics and cutting-edge new works, thrilling audiences at Bass Performance Hall and unique venues across Fort Worth.
- New opera commissions and collaborations that amplify voices throughout our community and tell stories rooted in Fort Worth’s rich cultural heritage.
- Showcasing emerging talent from across the U.S. and introducing the next generation of operatic stars to our city.
- Innovative educational initiatives serving K–12 students across Fort Worth ISD and North Texas through curriculum-aligned programming and interactive, immersive performances.
- Community-based programs in unexpected venues that reflect the city’s vibrant spirit and artistic energy—from libraries and museums to cultural centers and civic spaces.
Every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar. A $100 donation becomes $200 in support of music education, access, and artistry. A $1,000 gift becomes $2,000—empowering innovation onstage and strengthening connections within our community offstage.
A Shared Vision for a Creative Future
The campaign embodies the company’s renewed commitment to innovation, civic pride, and the conviction that opera is a living, breathing art form—one that reflects our shared humanity and has the power to unite us all. From classrooms to concert halls, Fort Worth Opera is creating meaningful opportunities for audiences of all ages to experience the transformative joy of classical music.
Throughout its 2025–26 season, Fort Worth Opera will amplify the campaign through digital storytelling, donor spotlights, and collaborative programming. As the city celebrates eight decades as the oldest continuously operating opera company in Texas, Match the Momentum invites residents to join in supporting an art form that reflects their voices and their dreams—along with the stories that unite us all.
“Opera is evolving, just like Fort Worth,” says Polenz. “And that evolution thrives when our community steps forward, when we say yes to creativity, and yes to a future where the arts remain an essential part of who we are.”
To make a gift or learn more about the campaign, visit fwopera.org/match-the-momentum or contact Ryan Lathan, Director of Development, at 817.288.1225 or ryan@fwopera.org.
