Santiago Ávila Albuja

Conference Report. December 2024
The 56th Annual CIMAM Conference, held in Los Angeles from December 6–8, 2024, marked a significant gathering for professionals in contemporary art museums. Hosted collaboratively by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Hammer Museum at UCLA, and supported by the Getty Foundation, this conference returned to Los Angeles after 34 years. Centered on the theme “Sustainable Futures: How? When? For Whom?”, the event delved into the multifaceted concept of sustainability and the evolving role of art institutions in addressing global challenges.
Insights from Key Lectures
The keynote lectures set the stage for thought-provoking discussions. Mark Bradford, a globally acclaimed artist, emphasized the transformative power of artistic practices in addressing societal inequalities and fostering community resilience. He underscored art’s role as a catalyst for societal change, urging institutions to adopt practices that bridge creativity and activism. His reflections on the intersections of art, activism, and social justice strongly resonated with attendees, sparking meaningful dialogue on the ethical responsibilities of art institutions in today’s polarized world.
Zita Cobb, founder and CEO of Shorefast, shared innovative approaches to sustainability, drawing on her experience revitalizing the cultural and economic landscape of Fogo Island. She introduced the concept of "economies of care," prioritizing long-term community well-being over short-term gains. Her key questions, “What do communities need? What holds them back?”, highlighted the importance of understanding local contexts and embedding community engagement within broader sustainability frameworks.
Manuel Segade, Director of the Museo Reina Sofía, explored the interdependent nature of museums, advocating for a reimagined, dynamic public space that engages deeply with its communities. He stressed that museums’ actions are critical in responding to global crises—climatic, political, or military—while positioning themselves ethically and resiliently. Segade also emphasized the importance of fostering interdependence within museum operations and understanding the ethical implications of their role in supporting common rights.
Candice Hopkins, Executive Director of Forge Projects, provided a compelling narrative on integrating Indigenous perspectives into contemporary curatorial practices. She emphasized how traditional knowledge systems and practices can inform sustainability, advocating for an expanded understanding that includes cultural survival, intergenerational knowledge, and ethical stewardship of resources. Her insights challenged participants to rethink conventional paradigms in favor of inclusive and resilient approaches.
Reflections on Exhibitions and Site Visits
Aligned with Getty’s PST ART initiative, the conference incorporated site visits to major exhibitions across Los Angeles, offering invaluable perspectives on the intersections of art and science. Highlights included:
● The Life at the Center by Carolina Caycedo at the Vincent Price Art Museum. This exhibition profoundly engaged with the conference’s themes, exploring the interplay of environmental justice, cultural heritage, and activism.
● Scientia Sexualis at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. This exhibition provided a critical examination of the intersections between science, identity, and societal norms, offering a nuanced perspective on the cultural dimensions of knowledge production.
Exhibitions at MOCA, focusing on the environmental impacts of artistic production, and the Hammer Museum’s community-driven projects further emphasized the role of museums as integral parts of their communities. These projects illustrated how museums can foster dialogue, action, and resilience, inspiring participants to explore how such methodologies could be adapted to their local contexts.
Expanding the Discourse
The discussions extended beyond theoretical debates, offering actionable strategies for integrating sustainability into institutional practices. Sessions addressed topics ranging from rethinking conservation methods to exploring innovative funding models, underscoring the need for a holistic approach that aligns ecological responsibility with cultural missions. A key theme involved bridging global responsibilities with local commitments, providing a nuanced understanding of how museums can navigate the complexities of today’s challenges. Institutions were encouraged to adopt adaptable frameworks that remain grounded in core values, ensuring relevance and impact in a rapidly evolving world.
Personal Reflections
Participating in this conference was an intellectually and professionally enriching experience. The diversity of perspectives—ranging from Indigenous knowledge systems to contemporary scientific research—provided a comprehensive view of sustainability’s complexities. The discussions reinforced collaboration and adaptability as essential tools for addressing future challenges. Witnessing the intersections of art, activism, and innovation offered both intellectual stimulation and practical inspiration for driving meaningful change within my own professional practice.
The opportunity to engage with global peers and experts underscored the importance of dialogue in fostering collective growth. Sessions focused on community engagement were particularly impactful, prompting reflections on how art institutions can actively contribute to equitable and resilient societies.
Recommendations and Future Directions
- Amplify Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Museums must prioritize partnerships across sectors to tackle sustainability’s multifaceted challenges. Recognizing the diverse origins and scales of participants is crucial. Academic boundaries often fail to reflect the dynamic ways life is organized.
- Enhance Accessibility and Inclusion: Expanding scholarship programs like those offered by CIMAM can ensure broader participation, particularly for cultural agents from the Global South. Accessibility efforts should continue to focus on equitable access to knowledge-sharing platforms and fostering diverse perspectives.
- Promote Community Engagement: Institutions must deepen ties with local communities to ensure initiatives are impactful and relevant. Communities sustain museum processes and should drive proposals, rather than merely adapting to institutional agendas. Discussions at this year’s CIMAM emphasized adapting to community needs as vital to fostering meaningful connections.
- Foster Ongoing Dialogue: Continuous platforms for exchange and reflection can sustain the momentum generated by conferences like CIMAM. This aspect requires significant strengthening, with future editions benefiting from more participatory activities for attendees. Regular forums, workshops, and publications can help extend the impact of these discussions.
Conclusion
The CIMAM 56th Annual Conference served as a critical platform for envisioning sustainable futures for contemporary art museums. By fostering a collective commitment to innovation, equity, and ecological mindfulness, the conference established a robust foundation for future actions and collaborations. The general assembly highlighted the importance of identifying common challenges and the value of creating spaces for dialogue. Recognizing participants’ cultural and linguistic diversity, it is vital to facilitate language accessibility beyond English, fostering broader inclusivity.
A personal question that continues to resonate is: What type of museum institutions are we striving to build? Where does the museum situate itself within the context of the climate crisis? While museums cannot replace the role of streets or everyday life, they can serve as extensions and supports for what occurs both outside and within the world. The dialogues initiated in Los Angeles must inspire and propel meaningful change across the global museum community. By embracing adaptability, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration, museums can position themselves as leaders in shaping a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Additional Reflections on My Area of Work and Its Connection to Other Departments
● It is essential to develop evaluations that quantitatively and qualitatively capture the communities and individuals benefiting from museum incentives and support.
● Educational and community activities should not be confined to isolated spaces but should holistically shape the museum’s programs and initiatives.
● The museum faces significant financial challenges; while mobilizing collections or exhibitions may be unfeasible, efforts should focus on bringing artists to engage with the museum.
● Management models should emphasize interdependence across departments, fostering sensitivity to artistic processes.
● Operational and exhibition frameworks must align with and support the rhythms of life.
● Sustainability within the museum context requires numerical data—not for justification but to acknowledge the complexities of engaging with communities and social actors while ensuring ongoing follow-up on their proposals and concerns.
● Sustainability cannot exist without education. Pedagogical models must encourage reflection on how life is sustained, resisted, and subverted within the broader context of global exploitation.
Biography
Santiago Ávila Albuja (b. 1993) graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University in 2016. Subsequently, he pursued a Master's in Cultural Theory and Criticism at Universidad Carlos III - Spain, graduating in 2017. Following this, he obtained a Master's in Curatorial Studies from the University of Navarra in 2023, with the honor of receiving a scholarship from the Fundación Carolina, a prestigious foundation based in Spain.
With five years teaching experience at Ecuadorian institutions, he’s specialized in art and design instruction. He taught in the Visual Arts program at the Pontifical Catholic University and the Graphic and Digital Design program at the University Israel.
Currently, he holds the position of Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager at the Contemporary Art Center (CAC). Additionally, he is the coordinator of the Mariano Aguilera National Arts Award, which is the most prestigious contemporary art award in Ecuador and serves as a strong platform for contemporary art.
In his role at CAC, Santiago collaborates closely with the educational and community mediation department. Together, they develop projects aimed at critically reflecting on processes of revaluing local cultures and fostering intercultural dialogue, particularly within Ecuadorian territories. Notable projects include Away Paccha (2022) a solo show of Yana Lema an indigenous artist from Otavalo. 'Desbordes' (2023), which highlights the experiences of artists living with physical and mental disabilities, and 'Positiva' (2024), showcasing artists living with HIV from across Latin America.
Furthermore, he continues to work as a part-time university professor while pursuing his curatorial endeavors. As an independent curator, Santiago collaborates with emerging artists, particularly those addressing queer identity and themes related to intercultural dialogues centered on the effects of climate crises. He strives to support and validate the importance of guiding new artistic talents, contributing to their professional development, and highlighting the relevance of artistic practice emerging from Ecuador.
Santiago Ávila Albuja, Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager, Quito Contemporary Art Center, Quito, Ecuador, has been awarded by the Getty Foundation, Los Angeles.