Meet PMCA’s New Executive Director

Susana Smith Bautista(Photo – susanasmithbautista.com).

The Board of Directors of the Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) announced the appointment of Susana Smith Bautista, Ph.D., as Executive Director of the Museum.

By Brianna Smyk

Born and raised in Pasadena, Dr. Bautista is an expert on museums, digital technology, the arts, and strategic communication. With an M.A. in Art History/Museum Studies and a Ph.D. in Communication, both from University of Southern California, Dr. Bautista brings with her a wealth of experience in the museum world, curating exhibitions and creating educational programming, and digital media and communication. Dr. Bautista is committed to the Pasadena-area community, having served on the City of Pasadena Arts and Culture Commission, the Advisory Board of Southwest Chamber Music, the Board of Trustees of Westridge School, and the Board of Directors of Clazzical Notes.

Dr. Bautista replaces Interim Executive Director Jay Belloli. Dr. Bautista will begin her new position on May 23, 2017.

Dr. Bautista has over 25 years of experience in the art world in Los Angeles, New York, and Greece, working with museums, commercial galleries, and non-profit art spaces; curating exhibitions on Latino and Latin American art; lecturing; and publishing, including her 2013 book titled Museums in the Digital Age. Her background in nonprofit arts administration includes former positions at the Mexican Cultural Institute of Los Angeles as the Executive Director; USC Pacific Asia Museum as the Interim Deputy Director and Director of Public Engagement; LatinArt.com, the online journal of art and culture, as Editorial Director; and within distinguished institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, USC Fisher Museum of Art, and INTAR International Arts Relations. She also serves as a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums.

Brianna Smyk is PMCA’s Director of Communication & Editor.