San Francisco’s Intersection for the Arts Suspends Programs, Lays Off Curators

San Francisco’s Intersection for the Arts announced today that it will dramatically restructure its organization, suspend programs, and lay off key staff by the end of this month. Included among those furloughed are Visual Arts Program Director Kevin B. Chen, Outreach and Community Engagement Program Director Rebeka Rodriguez, and Theatre Program Director Sean San José, as well as all communications staff.

Intersection Incubator, the organization’s fiscal sponsorship program, supports 125 smaller organizations annually — it will remain intact. Intersection will continue to provide a performance platform for Incubator Program and Innovation Studio. Randy Rollison, presently Program Director Artist Resources, will assume the role of Interim Director.

The news of Intersections’ troubles comes at a time when many San Francisco arts organizations are struggling, even amidst the city’s recent development boom. Community arts and education organization Root Division announced that it will need to relocate by the end of June, after receiving notice earlier this year that its rent would substantially increase. Recently Union Square non-profit Meridian Gallery was narrowly spared immediate eviction after its landlords demanded a year’s rent and security deposit paid in advance, totaling $100,000. According to Meridian’s website, it presently has an extended lease through June.