Neal Ambrose-Smith: The (Tense) Present, (installation view, 2021)

Join Our Team

Position: Curator

Position Summary: The Curator will play a critical role in the growth and sustainability of 516 ARTS, focusing on contemporary exhibitions and artists, public programs, and community engagement. This position will work closely with the Executive Director to create and implement an advanced exhibition schedule that increases the organization's impact and reach. This position is central to the Exhibitions Team. This position is focused on but is not limited to, highlighting Indigenous and Latinx artists and providing outreach to Native communities in New Mexico.

The ideal candidate brings a curatorial background, exceptional interpersonal skills, and management acumen. They should be eager to embrace new systems and resonate with the mission of 516 ARTS, contributing to a positive and collaborative work culture. We seek a team-oriented individual who will not only drive our exhibitions but also enrich our organizational culture through shared values and commitment to collective success.

Please click here to download and read the full job description for the Curator position.  To apply, please click here to apply through Submittable. Applications will only be accepted through Submittable. The position will remain open until filled. 516 ARTS is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

 

Position: Engagement Coordinator

Position Summary: The Engagement Coordinator will play a critical role in the growth and sustainability of 516 ARTS focusing on customer service, membership coordination, retail administration, program assistance, and community engagement. This position will work closely with the Development Manager to implement strategies that increase the organization's impact and reach.

Reporting to the Development Manager, this position works as a part of both the Development Team and Programs Team. The ideal candidate has a customer service background, good data entry skills, experience in contemporary art, a willingness to learn about development in nonprofits, and a personal alignment with 516 ARTS’ mission and organizational culture. We seek a positive, team-oriented, and approachable individual who will enrich our organizational culture through shared values and commitment to collective success.

Please click here to download and read the full job description for the Engagement Coordinator position. To apply, please click here to apply through Submittable. Applications will only be accepted through Submittable. The position will remain open until filled. 516 ARTS is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

About 516 ARTS

Contemporary Art for Everyone

Established in 2006 by Suzanne Sbarge, 516 ARTS is a non-collecting contemporary art museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico that celebrates thought-provoking art in the here and now. At the core of its mission, 516 ARTS seeks to connect contemporary artists and diverse audiences through exhibitions and public programs that feature a mix of local, national, and international artists. The only museum in Albuquerque devoted exclusively to contemporary art, 516 ARTS prioritizes creative experimentation, with a focus on the intersection of Latinx and Indigenous histories in New Mexico and beyond. The museum delves into timely and pressing themes such as climate change, migration, and social and environmental justice. 516 ARTS sees art as at the essence of our humanity and a catalyst for positive social change.

 516 ARTS is dedicated to fostering a multifaceted and inclusive arts community through its exhibitions and public programs along with the following ongoing initiatives. Its Indigenous Arts Initiative encompasses a range of educational and engaging activities, thoughtfully curated to connect with Indigenous artists and communities in New Mexico, while promoting a broader practice of diversity that embraces intersectionality. 516 ARTS’ Latinx/Intersectional Art Initiative sheds light on the distinctive artistic expressions emerging from our unique location in a US/Mexico border state, enriched by a complex history of Spanish colonial roots interwoven with Indigenous histories. In 2020, 516 ARTS spearheaded Desierto Mountain Time, a cross-border contemporary art collaboration bringing together like-minded organizations across the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico. By forging these vital connections, 516 ARTS aims to nurture a network of creative exchange and collaboration that bridges local and international communities.

Committed to educating the creative minds of the future, 516 ARTS invests in Youth Education through a range of free, accessible programs that aim to inspire and empower the next generation of artists and art enthusiasts. A pillar of our support for New Mexico artists, 516 ARTS’ annual Fulcrum Fund grant program, launched in 2016, has contributed a total of $735,000 to 324 independent artists and art spaces in New Mexico. During the pandemic, the Fulcrum Fund played a critical role in providing emergency relief, distributing $321,000 to 255 artists and art spaces, with a focus on supporting Native American artists and artists of color.

As 516 ARTS continues to evolve, it remains deeply rooted in the New Mexico arts community, guided by the vision of creating a space where the arts flourish, ideas take flight, and diverse voices are celebrated.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
516 ARTS is committed to providing a dynamic, creative and inspiring space where individuals can gather to discuss, explore and learn about contemporary art and relevant issues and topics of our day. We actively seek inclusivity in our exhibitions and public programming, as well as in our board, staff, public space, and work environment. We strive to create experiences that are welcoming, relevant and accessible to people of diverse backgrounds. We seek to be active participants in celebrating the diversity in our community, while exploring topics such as socio-economic class, education, the environment and immigration. We continually evaluate our programming, exhibitions and staffing in relation to our goals of enhanced audience engagement and the reflection of diverse perspectives. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, gender identity, religious affiliation or national origin and believe that our unique differences, ideas, preferences and perspectives contribute to a rich, vibrant and meaningful fabric that unites us all.

Click HERE to view our Strategic Plan

Click HERE to learn about our ongoing initiatives

Click HERE to receive emails from us!

Board of Directors


Tim Price, Chair
PNM Resources Public Affairs and Foundation, PNM Foundation


Tim Price grew up in Artesia, NM, and graduated from UNM in 1985. He lived between New York City and Los Angeles before coming home to Albuquerque 21 years ago. As a production designer in the film industry, he worked with several interesting celebrities and directors. He was also a functional artist with permanent pieces at the Gallery of Functional Art in Santa Monica. His love for art continued as he helped curate and hang Project Angel Art at the Pacific Design Center in 1990 and participated in Divine Design for several years. Tim was active with AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food. In Albuquerque, he taught lighting at the Art Center Design College and has worked for PNM and PNM Resource Foundation for 15 years.

Rebecca Black, Vice President
International Development Professional, US Government


Rebecca Black completed her BA in Political Science at the University of Michigan and her Masters in City Planning in Economic Development at MIT. She served as the Economic Development Planner and then the Executive Director of Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation in Boston where the Mayor proclaimed Rebecca Black Day honoring her contribution to Boston’s neighborhoods. Since 1992, Rebecca has worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) performing different senior roles in many cities including: Washington, DC; Warsaw, Poland; Pertoria, Africa; Delhi, India; Kabul, Afghanistan; Bamako, Mali; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Shawna Brown
Exhibit & Event Coordinator, New Mexico Black Leadership Council

As the Creator of The Syndicate ABQ, Shawna B. has fostered community by curating dedicated spaces celebrating Black and Queer joy & expression. In the creative realm, they explore the harmonious relationship between music production and DJing. In her professional life, Shawna has made significant contributions in both the private and social profit sectors. She held the position of Chief Communications Officer for the Verdes Foundation as well as the role of Deputy Director/Special Projects Lead for the New Mexico Black Leadership Council. Shawna has a successful track record in steering projects for organizations like the DowntownAbq Main Street Initiative, the City of Albuquerque, and Fable Communications. Her work is made possible with the guidance of Spirit, beloved ancestors, and love.

Gabriel Castro
Director of Presbyterian Medical Group Practice Operations


Gabriel Castro has worked in healthcare for 21 years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiology Management and a master’s degree in business administration. A 2021 Leadership Albuquerque class member scheduled for graduation in June 2021, Castro was also an Albuquerque Business First 2018, 40underForty honoree. Currently he serves with local nonprofits such as United Way of Central New Mexico, Hispano Philanthropic Society Council, the Young Leaders Society Council, and on Advisory Board Committees for UNM,CNM, and PIMA Radiology Programs, among other community positions.

April Chalay
516 ARTS Interim Executive Director

April Chalay is an accomplished arts nonprofit leader, artist, and experienced director in the nonprofit sector. She received a BFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2006, where she developed a strong foundation in interdisciplinary fine art disciplines and conceptual development. She also has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from The ILR School at Cornell University, eCornell. She served as the Director of Operations at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center and as Deputy Director at the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe before joining the staff of 516 ARTS as Finance and Grants Manager and moving into the role of Deputy Director in 2023. She has lived in New Mexico since 2013.

Danyelle Means
Independent Consultant

Danyelle Means (Oglala Lakota) currently serves as the Interim Director of the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, NM. Previously, she served as a Development Consultant to the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Inc. (SWAIA) which plays host to the largest Native American art market in the US. Means was the first Indigenous Executive Director of the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in addition to co-curating the exhibition “Self-Determined: A Contemprary Survey of Native and Indigenous Artists at the institution as well as having lead the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) as Director of Advancement and Executive Director of the IAIA Foundation. Her national impact includes a role as a Project Manager at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). 

Jon van Gaasbeek
Architect 


Jon was born and raised in Albuquerque. He attended Highland High School and UNM where he received an associate degree in engineering and a BA in architecture. After college he moved to Los Angeles where he worked at various architectural firms and became a licensed California architect. Eventually he took over the architecture office he was working for. He specialized in renovating high-rise buildings and tenant improvement projects. His clients included CBRE, UBS, Keller Williams, the Director’s Guild, the Producer’s Guild, the Writer’s Guild, 15 Minutes Entertainment, AARP and LA Fitness.

Staff & Consultants

April Chalay, Interim Executive Director

April Chalay is an accomplished arts nonprofit leader, artist, and experienced director in the nonprofit sector. She received a BFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2006, where she developed a strong foundation in interdisciplinary fine art disciplines and conceptual development. She also has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from The ILR School at Cornell University, eCornell. She served as the Director of Operations at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center and as Deputy Director at the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe before joining the staff of 516 ARTS as Finance and Grants Manager and moving into the role of Deputy Director in 2023. She has lived in New Mexico since 2013.

april@516arts.org

JC González, Programing & Marketing Manager 

Juan Carlos (JC) González is a designer, writer, and artist whose professional history includes various New Mexico-based arts nonprofits. He is originally from Anthony, New Mexico, and re-located to Santa Fe to attend the College of Santa Fe where he acquired a self-designed degree in media arts. Following his education, he pursued a design and communications career which led to working with the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe, CENTER, and as a freelance writer for various publications including the Santa Fe Reporter. Additionally, González works as an artist and self-publishes a regional, annual artist-showcase zine. 

JC@516arts.org

Daniel Ulibarri, Education & Engagement Coordinator

Daniel Ulibarri is an accomplished professional photographer and educator. He holds BA degrees in both English and Media Arts from New Mexico Highlands University. He develops youth and educational programming at 516 ARTS, manages social media, develops content, works with interns, creates professional video interviews with artists and project videos, and in 2022 he curated the photography exhibition Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli: Downtown at 516 ARTS, which received international media coverage. Born and raised in northern New Mexico, he has been a resident of Albuquerque since 2021.

daniel@516arts.org

Kevin Paul, Fulcrum Fund & Development Coordinator  

Kevin Paul is a multimedia artist, writer, and fine arts professional. He was previously the Director of Operations at Peyton Wright Gallery in Santa Fe. He has written about art for many publications, including The Santa Fean, The Essential Guide to Santa Fe and Taos, The Collector's Guide. He is co-founder and co-director of Ecotone Physical Theater. He holds a BFA degree in Studio Art from College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and an MFA. degree in Dramatic Writing from the University of New Mexico. 

kevin@516arts.org

Suzanne Sbarge, Founder  

Suzanne Sbarge launched 516 ARTS in 2006 in partnership with the McCune Foundation. She previously directed Magnifico Arts, Inc. and the Harwood Art Center in Albquerque. She holds a B.A. in Art History and Studio Arts from Barnard College and an M.A. in Art Education from UNM. 


CONSULTANTS: 

Mandy Funchess, Schlenker & Cantwell, Auditor
Caroline Blaker, Aquarian Web Studio, Web Presence
Traducciones Sanagus, Translation
Kevin Burns, Grantwriter
Joyce Schoppe, Bookkeeper

ADVISORY BOARD:
Andrew Connors, Director, Albuquerque Museum
Devendra Contractor, Architect, DNCA
Roger Fragua (Jemez Pueblo), President, Cota Holdings, LLC
Melinda Frame, Filmmaker, FRAME+WORK, LLC
Carolina Franco, Manager of External Affairs, SITE Santa Fe
Tom Guralnick, Executive Director, Outpost Performance Space
Deborah Jojola (Isleta Pueblo), Artist
Arif Khan, Director, UNM Art Museum
Josie Lopez, PhD, Curator of Art, Albuquerque Museum
America Meredith (Cherokee), Publisher, First American Art Magazine
Nancy Marie Mithlo, PhD (Fort Sill Chiricahua Apache) Professor, UCLA
Delilah Montoya, Artist, retired art professor, University of Houston
Marla Painter, Community Organizer
Adolphe Pierre-Louis, Photojournalist, Albuquerque Journal / Actor / Musician
Henry Rael, Program Officer, McCune Charitable Foundation
Mary Anne Redding, Curator, Turchin Center for Visual Arts, NC
Rick Rennie, Historic District Improvement Company
Mark Rohde, FAIA, RMKM Architecture PC
Augustine Romero, Artist, City of Albuquerque, South Broadway Cultural Center
Alexis Salas, PhD, Endowed Assistant Professor of Arts of the Americas 
     in Latin American and Latine Art History, University of Arkansas
Rob Strell, Strell Design