Leadership Transition at Chicago Artists Coalition

Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC) today announced that current CAC’s director of exhibitions and residences, Teresa Silva has been selected as its new executive and artistic director. On August 1, 2020, she will assume her new role.

The Chicago Artists Coalition was established in 1974. It is a non-profit organization that has provided artists and curators with the resources to live, work, and thrive in the city. Caroline Older, CAC’s executive director since 2014, and CAC’s board of directors have been working on restructuring the organization since February 2020. The plan called for a 6-month transition to enable Older to take the next step in her career while ensuring the long-term success of CAC.

“In early 2020, as we entered CAC’s 45th year of supporting Chicago artists and curators, it became clear that to accommodate changing priorities among arts funders we needed to innovate to ensure CAC’s sustainability,” said Older. “The new management structure provides for a viable financial future while allowing Teresa Silva to lead CAC’s efforts to support Chicago’s artist community.”

“Caroline raised the visibility and impact of CAC, led its move to a new location, and substantially increased CAC’s financial support for artists. Her dedication to the success of CAC has been remarkable,” said Carmelita Tiu, Board Chair. “Teresa Silva has unparalleled experience and passion for CAC’s mission and programming, and will undoubtedly continue to build on the foundation that Caroline created.”

At CAC, Silva was Older’s first hire. Both were recognized together in Newcity’s Art 50: Chicago’s Visual Vanguard 2019. Silva’s duty at CAC will be procuring financial support through grants and donations, leading programming, residencies, and exhibitions, and overseeing day-to-day operations of the organization.