Leading Edge
The Contemporary Arts Center has been at the forefront of arts and culture, both in Cincinnati and around the world, for more than 80 years. That commitment to excellence and a bold initiatives continues, as Christina Vassallo, the Alice & Harris Weston Director of the CAC, has been chosen to be part of the prestigious DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management Fellowship in Washington, D.C., an honor awarded to just 3% of applicants worldwide.
“This fellowship brings incredible resources and international dialogue to the work we are doing here in Cincinnati,” said Vassallo. “I’m honored to represent the Contemporary Arts Center and our community as we shape the future of contemporary art and engagement.”
Vassallo is one of only seven arts executives in this year's cohort, representing the United States, Hungary, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and England, selected from an applicant pool of 51 countries. The intensive three-year program provides fully subsidized executive training in strategic planning, leadership, fundraising and governance. She will begin her first year of the fellowship with a month in residence in Annapolis, Maryland, joining an elite network of global arts leaders committed to the future of cultural institutions.
Since joining the CAC in 2023, Vassallo has led the institution through its 20th anniversary in the landmark Zaha Hadid-designed building, launched a new strategic plan and introduced an artistic vision that strengthens the museum’s role locally and internationally. Her selection for the DeVos Fellowship is a reflection of her dynamic leadership in Cincinnati and a significant milestone for the city’s cultural sector.
Vassallo brings more than 15 years of executive-level experience to the CAC, with prior leadership roles at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, SPACES in Cleveland, and Flux Factory in New York City. Her work has consistently championed innovative programming and sustainable growth in the arts.
The DeVos Institute assists arts, culture, and humanities organizations, as well as universities, public media, medical, K-12 education, and science non-profits.