July 30, 2020

SPACES NAMES TIZZIANA BALDENEBRO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BRINGING A NEW GENERATION OF SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS WHO EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT

Cleveland, Ohio – July 30, 2020

SPACES announced today that it has named Tizziana Baldenebro as the organization’s next Executive Director, following a comprehensive national search which generated more than 100 candidates. Tizziana joins the SPACES team in its 42ndyear from her most recent role at MOCA Detroit. Megan Young, who has been SPACES’ Interim Executive Director since December 2019, will resume her role as Deputy Director.

“We are thrilled to welcome a natural collaborator and convener like Tizziana to lead SPACES at this time of growth and change in our community,” said John C. Williams, SPACES’ board president. “Tizziana’s creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurial vision, along with her ability to lead -- both directly and through her influence -- position her well to shape a meaningful and inspiring future for SPACES.”

Baldenebro was most recently the Ford Curatorial Fellow at MOCA Detroit (MOCAD), where she supported the exhibition Richard Prince: Portraits and cordinated Conrad Egyir: Terra Nullius among other activities. Previous experiences include roles at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and STRATA Marketing in Chicago. In addition, her extensive published writings include works featured in Daily Rush and The Avery Review. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Baldenebro holds a Master of Architecture degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from The University of Chicago.

“Tizziana has demonstrated her ability to think expansively about the role of the art institution in the face of 21st century events -- specifically, the pandemic reality and the work of making progress toward more just and equitable art and public dialogue,” added Williams. “Her experience related to digital technology, community organizing and inclusion in the art world will empower SPACES to evolve its position as a local, regional and national leader in these conversations in the years to come.”

Deputy Director Megan Young joined SPACES in 2018, served as Project Coordinator of the SPACES international artist residency program and then became Deputy Director shortly before being appointed Interim Executive Director in December 2019. She helped lead the selection of 126 artists to receive The Satellite Fund Emergency Relief grants in cooperation with The Warhol Foundation and the Cleveland Foundation.

“Megan has provided capable and steady leadership for SPACES in these challenging past six months, and her ability and ingenuity will be a great support to our organization going forward,” said Williams. “We are excited about the ability of this team -- with Tizziana at the helm -- to build on SPACES’ heritage and show how art can and must simultaneously reflect and shape our communities.”