The Riverside Art Museum (RAM) in California just announced its new Executive Director: Vivian Zavataro. She steps into the role on October 1st, bringing a fresh perspective and, apparently, the enthusiastic approval of Cheech Marin himself. Because when it comes to Chicano art, you definitely want Cheech's blessing.
Zavataro is taking the reins from Drew Oberjuerge, who, after 13 years of turning RAM from a local gem into a cultural heavyweight, decided to exit stage left in June 2025. Patricia Reynolds, the RAM board president, practically did a happy dance about the museum's growth and what Zavataro will bring to the table.
Leading The Cheech
One of Zavataro's biggest gigs will be guiding the artistic vision for the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts and Culture. This center, which Oberjuerge helped launch, is essentially a permanent home for Cheech Marin's incredible collection. The previous artistic director, Maria Esther Fernández, departed in August 2025, leaving some big, art-filled shoes to fill.
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Start Your News DetoxMarin, whose name is literally on the building, couldn't be more thrilled. He noted that Zavataro has a knack for understanding artists, museums, and, crucially, how to bring people together. He's clearly looking forward to seeing what she does next, probably with a knowing nod and a wink.
Before heading to sunny Riverside, Zavataro was busy running the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University in Kansas. Prior to that, she was the executive director and chief curator at the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art in Nevada – because apparently, she collects museum leadership roles like they're going out of style.
Her curatorial resume includes working with artists like Justin Favela and Guillermo Bert, and projects with Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Kiara Aileen Machado, and Edi Rama. She even put together the "En Medio | Senses of Migration" exhibition at the Lilly Museum back in 2021–22. She's also working on a PhD in England, researching how museums actually connect with their audiences. Which, if you think about it, is pretty spot on for someone about to run two of them.
Zavataro says she's honored to join RAM at such a pivotal time, viewing museums as vibrant crossroads of art, community, and culture. She’s ready to work with everyone to amplify the museum's impact and ensure its programs truly celebrate the people they serve. Sounds like the perfect blend of academic smarts and real-world connection.
