It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Jessica Berlanga Taylor, MA, as the new director of the Stuart Collection, effective April 18, 2022.
An accomplished curator, writer and art project manager, Berlanga Taylor has curated numerous exhibits and commissioned more than 40 works of art, 11 of which were created for public spaces in Mexico City. As a bicultural and bilingual art professional, Berlanga Taylor has focused on projects specific to historical and notable locations, as well as socially engaged art. This includes a sound performance in the Mexico City subway with 200 women participants and an experimental visual essay in collaboration with Central American migrant teenage girls. She has led the design and implementation of education projects, seminars and workshops for a wide array of audiences including students and emerging artists. In addition to her extensive art curation work, Berlanga Taylor also authored three books and many articles, essays and other written works, as well as a comprehensive survey of 20 years of contemporary art in Mexico.
Most recently, Berlanga Taylor has worked as curator for projects for The University Museum of Contemporary Art, Mexico, Casa Luis Barragán and the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City, and was a lead consultant on Gender Policies, Public Space and Social Participation for The Museum of the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico.
Under the direction of the Executive Vice Chancellor, Berlanga Taylor will be responsible for the conceptualization, curation and development of the Stuart Collection and cultivation of contemporary artists and projects that are socially conscious and relevant. She will also be responsible for maintenance and conservation of the existing collection and for leading successful fundraising programs that support the collection.
Berlanga Taylor will hold a highly visible leadership position in public art on campus, locally, nationally and internationally. As such, she will develop and direct public relations, educational outreach and public service programming that promotes the collection, creates deeper appreciation for UC San Diego and advances the understanding of art and culture in the context of broader international conversations. She will work with the Stuart Collection Advisory Council and collaborate with other arts leaders on campus, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion.
We sincerely thank Arts Consulting Group for guiding an inclusive international search process for the new director. Sincere thanks as well to Ivan Evans, Provost of Eleanor Roosevelt College, for providing guidance and leadership as the chair of the search advisory committee, and for ensuring that a diversity of voices was involved in the search process. We are grateful to the members of the search advisory committee for their service, valuable contributions and insights. We also appreciate the input from the Stuart Collection Advisory Board, the Friends of the Stuart Collection Council, and many members of the campus community who participated in the search process.
We would be remiss if we did not recognize the 40 years of incredible service and leadership provided by Mary Beebe, the founding director of the Stuart Collection. Mary’s dedication to building the collection, filling our campus with incredible art that is accessible to all, and developing relationships with artists worldwide in her pursuit of the best works for the Stuart Collection, has established an incredible foundation on which Berlanga Taylor can continue to grow the collection and expand its impact on our community. Berlanga Taylor will work closely with Jane Zwerneman, Assistant Director of the Stuart Collection, as the director transition takes place.
Please join us in congratulating Jessica Berlanga Taylor on her appointment. Her commitment to art, learning and diverse, equitable and inclusive participation will serve the Stuart Collection well. Her passion and diverse professional background will further our vision to firmly establish UC San Diego as an arts destination in Southern California and beyond.
