For Immediate Release
December 17, 2015
Contact: Steve Wilcox
602-771-6536
[email protected]
Arizona Commission on the Arts Hires Gabriela Muñoz as Artist Programs Manager
The Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona, has hired Gabriela Muñoz for the position of Artist Programs Manager.
Muñoz is an interdisciplinary artist, arts educator, and arts administrator who holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Printmaking from Arizona State University. As an active contributor to Arizona’s arts community, she is regularly engaged in artist residencies, serves as a juror and panelist, leads artist workshops, and presents lectures for local and national audiences.
Muñoz was most recently employed as Curatorial Associate in Contemporary and Latin American Art at Phoenix Art Museum, where her collaborations with museum colleagues and with other cultural organizations allowed her the opportunity to foster community through public programs, artist grants, and creative partnerships.
The Arts Commission’s Executive Director, Robert Booker, said of Muñoz’s hire, “Gabriela’s experience as a working artist, administrator, teacher and mentor, along with her firsthand knowledge of the local and national arts communities, will undoubtedly enhance our understanding of Arizona’s artists and our capacity to serve them.”
Muñoz was hired by the Arts Commission following the recent departure of Casandra Hernandez, who has assumed the position of Curator of CALA Initiatives at the ASU Art Museum, a newly-established partnership between Phoenix-based Celebración Artística de las Américas and the Museum.
“In the time she has worked with us, Casandra has been an extraordinary contributor to Arts Commission programs and has generously shared her expertise with Arizonans working in and alongside the arts and culture sector,” said Booker. “We are sorry to lose her as a member of our team but feel certain she will lead CALA Initiatives at the ASU Art Museum with vision and skill, and we anticipate discovering many opportunities to work with Casandra in her new role.”
During her tenure with the Arts Commission, Hernandez nurtured fruitful cross-sector partnerships that increased the state agency’s reach and capacity to support the work of Arizona artists. She co-designed and implemented the agency’s ambitious AZ ArtWorker program, which facilitates dialogue and knowledge-sharing between Arizona artists, national and international artists, and residents of Arizona communities, securing a $30,000 grant from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation to fund the program’s pilot-year programming in Douglas, Tucson and Phoenix. AZ ArtWorker programs and presentations are planned through the first half of 2016. Muñoz will now oversee the program.
About the Arizona Commission on the Arts
One of 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies across the United States, the Arizona Commission on the Arts is a 49-year-old agency of the State of Arizona and a leading force in the creative and professional development of Arizona’s arts sector. Through robust programs, research initiatives and strategic grantmaking, the Arts Commission catalyzes arts-based partnerships that strengthen Arizona communities through the arts
For more information about the grants, services and programs of the Arizona Commission on the Arts, visit www.azarts.gov.
We imagine an Arizona where everyone can participate in and experience the arts.
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To request this or any other agency publication in an alternative format, contact the Arts Commission offices at (602) 771-6502. Images available upon request.
