Sara Cochran has accepted the position of associate director at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, according to a release from SMoCA.
Cochran left her position as modern and contemporary art curator at Phoenix Art Museum in November 2013. Prior to that, she was assistant curator at Los Angeles County Museum of Contemporary Art (LACMA). She had also held positions at the Getty Center in LA and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. She's originally from Glasgow, Scotland, and studied at both the Courtauld Institute of Art in London the Université de la Sorbonne (Paris IV).
She'll begin her new job at SMoCA Monday, February 3, 2014.
See also: Phoenix Art Museum Modern and Contemporary Art Curator Sara Cochran Resigns
"The Scottsdale Museum of Art feels extremely privileged to welcome Sara Cochran to the museum in this newly created role," SMoCA director Timothy Rodgers said in the release. "Sara's exceptional work in the field of contemporary art has been noted for its intelligence, clarity and integrity. Artists, patrons, collectors, and art audiences have appreciated her numerous public presentations, exhibitions and publications peppered with humor, unexpected perspectives and cultural insights."
In her new position, Cochran will work with Rodgers and the museum's curatorial staff to create new exhibitions, in addition to working with the museum's education team to expand its docent program and on exhibition-related events. The release also notes that Cochran will serve as a support for the museum's development department with grant writing and relationship building.
"I am delighted about this wonderful opportunity," Cochran said in the release. "SMoCA is such a dynamic institution with an innovative and energetic staff. I greatly look forward to learning from Tim and working closely with his entire team."
Cochran will make her first public appearance as part of the SMoCA staff at the museum's spring opening event, which will run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 7. Admission will be free.
