Vivian Zavataro Named Executive Director Of Riverside Art Museum

(MENAFN- USA Art News) The Riverside Art Museum (RAM) in California has appointed Vivian Zavataro as its next executive director. Her tenure will begin on October 1. Zavataro succeeds Drew Oberjuerge, who led the institution for more than 13 years and departed in June 2025.

As director of RAM, Zavataro will also oversee the artistic direction of the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts and Culture, an initiative Oberjuerge spearheaded. Maria Esther Fernández, the Cheech's inaugural artistic director, left her position in August 2025. A release indicates that Zavataro will maintain the Cheech's existing model of utilizing guest curators for its temporary exhibitions.

RAM board president Patricia Reynolds commented on the museum's evolution.“The Riverside Art Museum has grown from a beloved community museum into a dynamic cultural institution with an international presence,” Reynolds said.“I am incredibly proud of the vision, commitment, and collaboration that have brought us to this moment, and excited about what lies ahead with Vivian as our new director.”

Cheech Marin, whose collection forms the foundation of The Cheech, expressed his optimism.“Riverside Art Museum has come a long way, and The Cheech has become a big part of that story,” Marin said.“But the best part is that we're still building. Vivian understands artists, she understands museums, and she understands the importance of bringing people together. I'm looking forward to having her on board and seeing what the next chapter looks like.”

Zavataro currently serves as the executive and creative director of the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University in Kansas. She previously held the role of executive director and chief curator of the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her curatorial work includes exhibitions for Justin Favela and Guillermo Bert, along with projects involving Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Kiara Aileen Machado, and Edi Rama. At the Lilley Museum, she also organized the 2021–22 exhibition“En Medio | Senses of Migration.”

Additionally, Zavataro is a PhD candidate at the University of Reading in England, where her dissertation focuses on museum audience engagement. She holds master's degrees in museum studies from the University of Amsterdam and in curating from Zurich University of the Arts.

Zavataro shared her enthusiasm for the new role.“I am honored to join the Riverside Art Museum at such a pivotal moment,” Zavataro said.“These are places where art, community, and culture meet in ways that feel urgent and alive. I look forward to working alongside the team, board, artists, guest curators, and the broader Riverside and Inland Empire communities to expand this organization's impact and make sure its programs reflect and celebrate the people it serves.”

We previously reported:

Caitlín Doherty, former director of MOCA Jacksonville, will take the helm at Telfair Museums in October, following recent staff layoffs and leadership changes.

Kim Conaty, former chief curator of the Whitney Museum, has been named the new director of the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, starting October 27.

Source: ARTnews

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