Anderson will continue to offer services to CCA as advisor and curator
   The Board of Directors of the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe announced that Craig Anderson has decided to step down as executive director and focus on curatorial pursuits. Anderson will continue to offer his services to CCA as an advisor and as a curator.  
   "We were fortunate to have been able to entice Craig to return to Santa Fe from Miami to help assist CCA during this critical period of CCA’s growth,” said John C. Bienvenu, President of the Board of Directors. "During Craig’s tenure, CCA has achieved stunning successes and is well-positioned to further expand on its mission to serve as a physical center of gravity for Santa Fe’s cultural community. We are very grateful for Craig’s dedication and hard work and are pleased that Craig will continue to assist CCA as we move forward on our many exciting plans."
   “2011 was a terrific year for CCA,” said Anderson.  “CCA continues to be the go-to gathering place for insightful and challenging films, engaging and topical public programs and cutting-edge exhibitions.  I’m enormously proud of what we have achieved and look forward to assisting in CCA's continuing leadership in the Santa Fe arts community.”
   Notable among CCA’s achievements during Anderson’s tenure was the record-breaking run of The Due Return exhibition during the summer of 2011, hailed as “the most popular exhibition in CCA’s 32 year history.”  From May through August, 11,000 visitors passed through CCA’s 6,000 square foot Muñoz Waxman Gallery to view and immerse themselves in the retro-futuristic, 75 foot long, two story high wooden ship, constructed and installed by the local artists’ group Meow Wolf.
   In addition, 18 Days, the New Mexico Women in the Arts exhibition showcasing more than 100 New Mexico women artists opened at CCA to a crowd estimated at 1,500 in February 2011, setting an attendance record for an opening evening. In addition, CCA completed a $150,000 renovation of the CCA Cinematheque and launched the Studio at CCA, an intimate second film screen and multi-use space.

   In 2011 CCA also launched CHIMERA, a new innovation in hands-on education, led by Meow Wolf artists, working with over 900 students in 16 public schools.
   Forthcoming events and exhibitions at CCA for 2012 include performances by Santa Fe’s Theater Grottesco, a series of concerts by Santa Fe New Music in June, and exhibitions of the work of George O. Jackson, Jamie Hamilton and Alison Keogh this winter and spring.  In addition, CCA will be launching a new “Science on Screen” series in collaboration with the Santa Fe Institute.  CCA is also preparing plans for further capital improvements including a new lobby, café and sculpture garden.
   CCA is currently reviewing applications and expects to announce Anderson’s successor in the near future.