The California Institute of the Arts has revealed that João Ribas will be executive director for the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), Los Angeles. Ribas is only the second person to hold the position at the multidisciplinary centre since its inception 17 years ago. He will also be vice president of cultural partnerships, assuming his role from 1 June.
Ribas, who most recently served as commissioner and curator for the Portuguese Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale, was selected by a committee comprised of faculty members as well as Tracie Costantino, provost of CalArts and Tim Disney, chair of CalArts board of trustees. In a statement, Disney said: ‘We look forward to João expanding CalArts’ impact and reach through our programming, through increased partnerships with local communities, and by being an advocate for artists internationally.’ Ribas was previously director of the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, resigning in late 2018 over the censorship of a Robert Mapplethorpe retrospective.
The statement also announced the appointment of Edgar Miramontes as deputy executive director of REDCAT.
26 February 2020
