Griselda Suarez, the longtime executive director of the Arts Council for Long Beach, will soon depart the nonprofit to take on a new role with the local government.
Suarez has served at the helm of the Arts Council since 2015, according to an announcement from the organization. Under her leadership, the nonprofit — which administers various programs and services aimed at supporting the arts in Long Beach — has continued thriving throughout years of growth and challenges.
Besides helping expand the Arts Council’s support for artists, cultural organizations, public art and more — Suarez also helped the nonprofit survive through the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtsLB’s announcement said.
“Griselda led ArtsLB with care, clarity and deep respect for the communities we serve,” said Anne Lattime, president of the ArtsLB Board of Directors. “Her leadership strengthened the organization from the inside out, and we are thankful for the foundation she leaves behind.”
Griselda Suarez of The Arts Council for Long Beach spoke at the DETERMINATION LB mural dedication and culmination event which took place on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Long Beach Transit Parking Lot on Cherry Avenue. Photo by Geronimo Quitoriano, Contributing Photographer
Griselda Suarez, executive director of the Arts Council for Long Beach, speaks during the annual State of the Arts at the Scottish Rite Event Center in Long Beach on Friday, October 11, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)
Jewels and Griselda Suarez, executive director, speak during the annual State of the Arts at the Scottish Rite Event Center in Long Beach on Friday, October 11, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)
L-R Griselda Suarez and Mariah Hoffman move a protest mural on plywood created by Hugo Lomeli and Ricky Hernandez in Long Beach on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. When the protests were happening in Long Beach, business owners boarded up their windows and many artists ended up painting murals on the boards. Now the Downtown Long Beach Business Alliance and the Arts Council are collecting the murals and will be creating some sort of art show in the future. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Griselda Suarez will leave her role as ArtsLB’s executive director to join Long Beach as its first-ever cultural affairs officer. (Photo courtesy of ArtsLB).
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Griselda Suarez of The Arts Council for Long Beach spoke at the DETERMINATION LB mural dedication and culmination event which took place on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Long Beach Transit Parking Lot on Cherry Avenue. Photo by Geronimo Quitoriano, Contributing Photographer
But now, Suarez is embarking on a new career path — for both herself and the city. She will soon join the city as its first cultural affairs officer, according to ArtsLB.
The position is housed within the Department of Library, Arts and Culture. The city, as part of the 2024 fiscal year budgeting process, voted to change the name of the department (previously known as the Library Services Department), and expand its responsibilities to include the city’s arts and cultural programming.
“ArtsLB has always been about people — artists, organizers, educators and neighbors who believe culture belongs everywhere in this city,” Suarez said. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the past decade. This organization is strong, grounded and ready for what’s next, and I’m grateful to continue serving Long Beach’s creative community in a new way through the city of Long Beach.”
As the city’s cultural affairs officer, Suarez will be charged with building out the position and the cultural affairs programming for the city, according to a brochure for the job posted on recruitment site governmentjobs.com in August.
“The Cultural Affairs Officer will make connections with City and community leaders,” the brochure said, “build relationships with cultural center and Long Beach Arts Council leadership, research the relationship of the City with community cultural centers, cultural districts and the Long Beach Arts Council, and supports cultural programs and activities within the Department of Library, Arts and Culture.”
Suarez, in the new position, will also be tasked with providing expertise and insight regarding cultural matters to city leaders, community groups and other stakeholders, the brochure said, alongside exploring funding opportunities for cultural initiatives, among other responsibilities.
Suarez’s last day as the Arts Council’s executive director will be Feb. 6, the nonprofit said. The Arts Council “has plans in place to ensure continuity of operations,” its announcement said, and will provide additional information about the leadership change in the coming days.