HomePublicationPasadenaPMCA Appoints New Executive Director

PMCA Appoints New Executive Director

Susana Smith Bautista
Susana Smith Bautista

The board of directors of the Pasadena Museum of California Art recently announced the appointment of Susana Smith Bautista as executive director of the museum, beginning the position this week.
Born and raised in Pasadena, Bautista is an expert on museums, digital technology, the arts and strategic communication. Bautista brings with her a wealth of experience in the museum world, curating exhibitions and creating educational programming and digital media and communication. She 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.
“The board of directors is thrilled to have Susana take the helm of the PMCA,” says PMCA Chairman of the Board Jim Crawford. “She has a proven track record in the art, museum and nonprofit fields. Her specialized focus on museum studies; digital technology and communication; and Latino, Chicano, and Asian art will ensure that the full, diverse scope of California art as well as modern media communication continue to be at the forefront of the PMCA’s programming. With someone as committed to California art as well as to the Pasadena and Los Angeles communities, we are certain that with Susana as executive director, the museum will continue to thrive and be a significant and essential voice within and beyond Los Angeles.”
Bautista replaces Interim Executive Director Jay Belloli, who will continue to guest curate exhibitions in partnership with the PMCA. Belloli began his directorship with the museum upon the departure of former Executive Director Jenkins Shannon last June.
“I have every confidence that Susana will sustain the PMCA’s continued expansion of its educational and outreach efforts and will further demonstrate her leadership within the Pasadena community,” Belloli said.
Shannon, now with Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Environmental Design, dedicated more than a decade to leading the museum and remains a strong supporter and member of the PMCA.
“As a longtime visitor and supporter of the PMCA, I am honored to take on this leadership role at the museum,” Bautista said. “Having lived in Pasadena for most of my life, I have seen the major contributions the PMCA has made to the Pasadena community as well as those of Los Angeles and California. The museum has filled a void in the study and presentation of California art, and as we approach this momentous 15th anniversary of the museum, I consider it a privilege to be able to uphold the PMCA’s mission and to ensure that the longstanding tradition of innovative research and exhibitions, as well as engaging educational and outreach programming, continues for the next 15 years and beyond.”

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