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Indian arts organization seeks replacement for top executive

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A scene from Santa Fe Indian Market. Photo from Facebook

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts continues to solicit applicants for one of its top positions.

SWAIA puts on the popular Santa Fe Indian Market in New Mexico. The non-profit organization saw a big change in leadership last year when three top executives resigned and started their own Indigenous Fine Art Market.

Both events will return to Santa Fe this August. The Indian Market takes place August 22-23 on the downtown Plaza while the Indigenous Fine Art Market runs August 20-22 at a nearby location -- the Santa Fe Railyard.

In the meantime, SWAIA is still looking to hire a new chief development officer to replace Charlene Porsild, whose resignation was announced in January.

Porsild spent less than two years in her SWAIA position and was a source of friction among the executives who left last year. But she received a positive send-off from the organization's top leader.

“The SWAIA family and community will definitely feel the loss of Charlene,” CEO Dallin Maybee said back in January. “We co-directed one of the most successful Indian Markets in recent years and it was in large measure due to her commitment to the artists."

Porslid is the new president and CEO of the Montana History Foundation. She had fielding employment offers during her time at SWAIA, which had caused some to doubt her commitment to the organization.

Job Notice:
Chief Development Officer - Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (April 14, 2015)