Christina Vassallo, Executive Director, Contemporary Arts Center

The View 1071 Celestial St Cincinnati, OH 45202

Presented By

Join us on Thursday, August 14, 2025, for a LUNCH (12:00-1:30pm) meeting at The View (1071 Celestial St, 45202), for a program with Christina Vassallo, Executive Director, Contemporary Arts Center.

 

Christina Vassallo assumed her role as Alice & Harris Weston Director of Contemporary Arts in early 2023. During her brief tenure, so far, she has overseen the celebration of CAC’s 20th anniversary in its iconic Zaha Hadid-designed building; completed a strategic planning process alongside key organizational leaders; formed a new artistic vision that deeply connects the non-collecting museum to its local, national, and global audiences; and became a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors as well as Creative Ohio’s Advocacy Leadership Institute.

She brings 15 years of executive-level experience at forward-thinking contemporary arts institutions to Cincinnati. Her previous accomplishments at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia include developing an ambitious calendar of residencies and culminating exhibitions by Samara Golden, Jonathan Lyndon Chase, Jayson Musson, Rose B. Simpson, and Henry Taylor; creating a permanent collection care plan; and advocating for the region’s cultural sector when city and state funding were at risk during the COVID-related shutdowns. Her leadership at FWM was supported by her work as a founding member of the Philadelphia Collaborative Arts Consortium, Marshall Memorial Fellow of the German Marshall Fund, and cohort member of National Arts Strategies’ Chief Executive Program. She was also appointed as a member of the Arts & Culture Task Force, which identified policy and budgetary recommendations for Philadelphia City Council to best respond to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

During her service as Executive + Artistic Director of SPACES in Cleveland, Christina provided creative direction, oversaw operations for one of the longest-running alternative art organizations in the country, and relocated the organization to its current home, which doubled its attendance. Before running SPACES, Christina was based in NYC, working as Executive Director of Flux Factory, where she set the course for a thriving institution comprising an international artist residency program, an acclaimed exhibitions program, and unconventional education initiatives.

RSVPs are required to attend, whether you are eating lunch or not, so if you would like to attend, please click HERE by 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 8, 2025, or contact [email protected]. If you are not a current member of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, please note lunches are $30, and payment will be collected at the door via cash, check, or credit card.  Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Meal Choices – 

Regular Entrée: Grilled Chicken with Sichuan Vinaigrette, Steamed Rice & Garlic Ginger Green Beans.

Salad Entrée: Asian Salad with Mixed Greens, Cabbage, Carrots, Water Chestnuts, Mandarin Oranges, Edamame & Soy Ginger Vinaigrette.

Vegetarian Entrée: Seared Tofu with Sichuan Vinaigrette, Steamed Rice & Garlic Ginger Green Beans.