Museum of Art Ft. Lauderdale names Roberto Santiago Director of Communications & Strategic Marketing

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 16, 2009 – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  – Irvin Lippman, Executive Director, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, is pleased to announce that Roberto Santiago, a seasoned journalist, advertising manager, author, and lecturer, has been named the Museum’s Director of Communications and Strategic Marketing.

In his position, Santiago maintains the Museum’s daily, visible presence in both local and national English and Spanish language media. This includes the promotion of the Museum’s exhibitions, special events, Studio Arts programs, artists, and Museum Store, Coffee & Wine Bar. In addition, he is responsible for creating strategic advertising campaigns, in-house marketing, and cross-marketing ventures with outside venues. Santiago also serves as the spokesman for the Museum’s Executive Director, and is responsible for all Spanish/English translation efforts.

Reflecting his goal to increase awareness, attendance and membership for the Museum, Santiago has already hosted popular cocktail events for local arts groups and a Holiday pop-up book signing and show for families in the Museum lobby. He has also hosted two successful “art meets nightlife” Friday night events at Pangaea Lounge, an upscale nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

In 2009, Santiago is concentrating on creating free family and children’s events, art parties for young professionals, increased outreach to middle and high school students, and developing programming for GLBT, Hispanic, Black, and Asian communities. He is actively working with nearby Broward arts institutions and upscale venues to help promote downtown Fort Lauderdale as an arts and entertainment district locals and tourists can enjoy by walking.

“I view the visual arts as part of the South Florida entertainment experience -- no different than enjoying the beach, a good film, or a great restaurant and nightclub,’’ said Santiago. “That is why the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place for family excursions, a romantic date, or as a place to sit around, sipping cappuccinos and using our free Wi-Fi service.”

Santiago, who began his journalism career in 1985, was the Deputy Boroughs and Suburban Editor for the New York Daily News, a senior staff writer and day assignment editor for The Miami Herald, an arts & entertainment columnist for The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. He also served as advertising manager for Atrium Multi-Media Corp. in New York City. He has written for Rolling Stone, Omni, Details, Essence, Latina, and People.

Since 1989, Santiago has lectured around the nation on Hispanic, Caribbean, and racial identity issues, including Harvard University, Princeton University, Brown University, and Vassar College. He has also conducted diversity in the workplace workshops at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston and most recently conducted a two day writing workshop for middle school children at the Kingsbury County Day School in Oxford, Michigan.

He is the author of the book Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings - An Anthology, and has won several awards including the National Association of Black Journalists First Prize, Public Affairs Reporting Award; New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age Award, Inter-American Press Association Award for Commentary, New Voices Short Story Award, and the Neal Business Award. He is a lifetime member and former regional director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, a voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and a member of the Authors Guild.

Santiago holds a bachelor’s in history with a minor in creative writing from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.

“I’m very pleased to have Roberto on our team,” said Lippman. “His extensive experience and knowledge of journalism, communications, and culture are integral to successfully promoting all the Museum has to offer.”

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF ART | FORT LAUDERDALE
The Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale , a division of Nova Southeastern University, is open daily 11 am -5 pm with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students (6 -17) , military and seniors (65+). College students with a valid ID, children 5 and under, students 6 -17 with a Broward County Library card and Museum members are admitted free. Join us every Third Thursday for free admission from 5-8 pm.  The Museum also features a Studio School for adults and students (grades 1 to 12). The 10-week program, taught by professional artists, focuses on painting, drawing, design, art history, and musical theater. For more information, please call 954-262-0239 or email: education1@moafl.org.  The Museum also features a Museum Book Store & Café with specialty coffee drinks, wine and beer.  

MUSEUM FUNDING SUPPORT
Funding for the Museum is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.  In addition, the Museum is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts; and the City of Fort Lauderdale.  Additional annual support is provided by AutoNation, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, David Horvitz and Francie Bishop Good, Hudson Family Foundation, JM Family Enterprises, the Sansom Foundation, and many others.