VCU Institute for Contemporary Art announces new executive director

By Leslie Howson Bruno

The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University announced on Thursday the appointment of Dominic Willsdon as their new executive director. Willsdon takes over for interim director Joe Seipel, who assumed the role after inaugural executive director Lisa Freiman stepped down.

Willsdon will work to advance the mission of the ICA regionally, nationally and internationally. Willsdon comes to the ICA with 18 years of experience as a curator and educator in leadership positions at contemporary art institutions, most recently at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) where he has served as the Leanne and George Roberts Curator of Education and Public Practice since 2006. Willsdon will assume the directorship on December 1st.

At SFMOMA, Willsdon created platforms for new art and ideas originating in the Bay Area and around the world, promoting creative practices of many kinds, and engaging new audiences through community and civic partnerships. Willsdon led key components of SFMOMA’s strategic planning, and helped the museum secure major gifts to support initiatives such as free admission for visitors 18 years of age and younger, art commissions in performance and social practice, film programming, as well as digital resources and professional development for teachers. Prior to joining the San Francisco museum, Willsdon spent five years as the curator of public programs at Tate Modern in London.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU,” Willsdon said, “I have admired the ICA team’s work to create this phenomenal new institution, which has demonstrated in a few short months how art and dialogue can powerfully address issues in society today. It’s clear that both Richmond and the wider art world have embraced the ICA at VCU, and I look forward to continuing to shape its vision and program alongside my new colleagues to ensure the ICA remains responsive to the broadest possible audience and a vital venue for international contemporary art.”

As executive director of the ICA, Willsdon will report to the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. In addition to overseeing the curatorial and programmatic vision for the ICA, Willsdon will forge relationships with community partners and across academic disciplines, using the ICA’s unique position as part of VCU. Maintaining the ICA’s dedication to community engagement, social justice and education, Willsdon will set the creative vision for the ICA through programming that is both international in impact and rooted in the vibrant local arts community.