For the last 6 months of 2025 and now in 2026, there have
been lots of shifts in management in the visual arts institutions. But first a
little reminder of the San Diego Visual Arts project coming up in 2026:
San
Diego Visual Arts Network presents the 2026
SD Art Prize recipients Danielle Dean, Ingrid Hernandez, Tatiana Ortiz Rubio.. The
exhibition will be held for the first time at Oceanside Museum of Art opening
in Sept 19 from 5 to 7 in 2026 and showing until February 2027. Donate Now to Support the SD Art Prize KBPS’s Julie
Dixon Evans reports San
Diego Art Prize 2026 Winners: Three working mothers question what’s real and
what’s possible (print and podcast) and Video, Oct 2025.
The Business of Art Scholarship is a
unique opportunity for an artist who has a body of work to showcase and is
interested in selling their artwork during Mission Fed ArtWalk. San Diego Visual Arts Network and Mission
Fed ArtWalk partner to select one emerging artist to receive
mentoring, a booth at the festival and more. One scholarship recipient will be announced
in early 2026.
San Diego ART Matters is bringing
back Creative Conversations and the first event in 2026 will be at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on
Feb 24 from 9 to 1 pm. The focus is The
Arts in Rural and Unincorporated San Diego County. This information gathering meeting is free and in connection with
the newly formed north county inland’s
Art and Cultural Alliance which is the group formed by some of NCAN’s
Fallbrook Advisory committee members. (Note: I am the chair of NCAN right now!)
It is worth re-reading my blog from earlier this year: A+ Art Blog by Patricia Frischer: SD
County Arts and Culture Commission retreat Key Note Speech, June 5, 2025 Plus,
Plus, Plus Arts Advocacy News
Now for shifts and drifts:
We are happy to hear from
Terra Lawson-Remer’s office that “we deeply recognize that artistic expression,
cultural practices, and creativity are essential to the health and wellbeing of
San Diego County. The San Diego Arts and Culture Commission plays a critical
role in both expanding opportunities and advancing equity through the arts.” Chairperson
of the County Supervisors, Lawson-Remer was reassuring us that the funding
for the staff of the commission would NOT be directed to any other environment
issue (i.e. sewage problems in the TJ/SD River). We also want to
acknowledge support from Supervisor Montgomery Steppe. Thanks to all who came forward to stop
this mistake. Nice to know we can rally and make a difference. You can watch a recording of the proceeding that
took over an hour. Words from Arts Matters about the value of the arts start at
minute 52 and include Lawson-Remer finishing assurances at hour 1.06.
Because of this message, it is rumored that Christine
E. Jones, leaving her job as Chief of Civic Art Strategies for the City of
San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, might be accepting the new position
for the County of San Diego as Group Program Manager in the Economic
Development & Government Affairs department, a job that is 70%
about the arts and handles all the admin for the County Commission of Arts and
Culture. We hope she sees this as a stepping stone in her career to a position
of power much like that of Laura Zucker who galvanizes the Los Angeles
commission to great heights. We are waiting to hear confirmation of this
appointment.
Rachel Laing has become the new
City of San Diego Assistant Deputy Director in the Economic Development
Department, leading the City of San Diego’s efforts to cultivate a thriving
creative economy. The arts in the city of San Diego are now under the
department of Economic Development, perhaps one reason that Jonathon Glus
moved to become a fellow at the Prebys Foundation with a remit to form a City
Arts and Culture District with the help of the Downtown City Partnership.
Felicia Shaw has stepped down from
the ED position at our leading arts advocacy organization for the county, SD ART
Matters (SDAM), They have now appointed Bob Lehman as its new Executive
Director. formally Executive Director of
the San Diego Museum Council. Felicia Shaw new title is assistant Executive
director of SD Art Matters. Bob and Felicia are also commissioners for the
County Commission Arts and Culture.
Encinitas will be looking for a new arts manager of the
cultural arts division of the City of Encinitas to replace Collette Murphy
Stefanko, who has gone to a job in northern California. Luckily a
recruitment company has been hired and this will be a national search.
Alex Goodman, former director of
the Brooks Theatre — Oceanside Theatre Company, has accepted the position as
District Director for assemblywoman Tasha Boerner. Her district covers
the cities from Carlsbad to Coronado. This gives us an incredible arts advocate
at the state level. Be thinking about any ways this
could be of benefit to the arts community suggests Jim Gilliam, chairman
of the SD County Commission for Arts and Culture.
Sandi Landicho is the new Chief Financial
Officer/Operations Officer of The New Children's Museum.
Jean Keane is the
new Program Manager at The Front Porch Gallery in
Carlsbad
Luisa Martinez is the
new Assistant Director, Athenaeum Art Center in
Barrio Logan
Dra. Inez Gonzalez is the
Interim Executive Director Chicano
Park Museum and Cultural Center (CPMCC) but they are still looking for a
new Executive Director. You can apply
online or directly email your resume and cover letter to director@chicanoparkmuseum.org.
There is no hard deadline, apply as soon as possible!
Another shift in arts leadership: Lucy Eagleson, Executive
Director, will be transitioning from her role at Arts a Reason to Survive. The
ARTS board chair Tom Reise assures us the programs will continue
uninterrupted.
Ceci Moss is stepping down as
director of the Mandeville Gallery at UCSD. But no one will take her
place. Instead, the art department will fill the space and it appears that will
be mainly student exhibitions.
Sara Rodriguez is
taking Carol Naegle’s place as the director of the Brook
Theater Gallery in June, 2025.
Vanguard
Culture has moved into a new office at UC San Diego Park & Market (Third
Floor). But they will continue to hold events in county wide locations like Hera Hub, Carlsbad.
The CA
State Cultural District grant project came back! With grants up
to $10,000 over a two-year period, official state certification, technical
assistance, and access to joint marketing and branding resources. But after a
flurry of attempts at local applications, especially in North County, only
Liberty Station became a new cultural district in San Diego County. We now have
4 (Oceanside, Balboa Park and Barrio Logan are the others).
Balboa Park parking: Bad news for everyone. We checked out the fees and the discounts are only for those living in the City of San Diego and not the county. So, if you do not live in the city, you will pay the full $10 for 4 hours or $16 a day in the closest lots to the Museum. You can park in Lower Inspiration Point for 3 free hours or $10 for the day and take the free shuttle. Otherwise, you pay at the parking meter kiosks on roads in Balboa Park for $2.50 an hour. No need to sign up and waste the $5 as that is only for monthly, quarterly or year passes or to register is you are a resident of the city. If you work for a non-profit in the park, you can park for free or if you have a disabled placard. Museums have noted a marked decline in attendance so far, as well as non-renewal of membership, even cancellation of birthday parties… In response, a petition has circulated, calling on city leaders to revisit the policy. Organizers say they plan to present the signatures to the San Diego City Council, requesting adjustments or exemptions to reduce the burden on museums, visitors and volunteers.
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