Eilertsen’s new role at Sonoma Valley Museum

Kate Eilertsen has resigned as executive director to accept her ‘dream job’ at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art– the newly created position of Artistic Director. In her new role, Eilertsen will focus on developing exhibitions and educational programs “that engage the community in the art and ideas of our time.”

Newly elected SVMA Board President Douglas Fenn Wilson said, “that Kate Eilertsen will take the reins as SVMA’s new Artistic Director is nothing less than a coup.”

The position, Wilson said, “ensures that her curatorial talents and extraordinary eye will take SVMA to ever higher levels of maturity and visibility.”

For Eilertsen, “This is a dream come true, to really concentrate on developing the artistic programs for this museum. It’s an honor and privilege. I cannot wait to get started.”

Eilertsen’s extensive resume includes curating the recent Eleanor Coppola: Quiet Creative Force, but also, Nick Cave: Meet me at the Center of the Earth (seen at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts) and Scandinavian Modernism (seen at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art). Before coming to Sonoma, she was Acting Director of Visual Arts for Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Director for the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Associate Dean at the San Francisco Art Institute, Director of Exhibitions for Harvard University Art Museums and she oversaw the installation of the Rockefeller Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“Kate’s leadership has made this the best regional museum in California,” said Eleanor Coppola.

SVMA will commence a national search for a new Executive Director that will manage the Museum’s business affairs, overseeing development, budget and fiduciary matters, marketing, membership, grants, and strategic planning.

As planned, Wilson takes the place of outgoing president Simon Blattner, who will remain on the board.