February 19, 2008

ROCHELLE BRANCH NAMED
PASADENA CULTURAL AFFAIRS MANAGER

Rochelle Branch, who has served as manager of the Cultural Affairs Division of the Pasadena Planning and Development Department on an interim basis since May 2007, has been appointed to the position.
 
Branch holds a master of fine arts administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in art history from Hampton Institute. She has managed the city’s public art program for the past 10 years. Before coming to Pasadena she was director of public programs at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles, including the annual Festival of Masks.

A member of the city of Los Angeles Public Art Committee, her professional experience includes curatorial, outreach and public programs as well as development. She has worked at Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, the Bronx Museum of Arts and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City among others.

Branch will work with the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission to implement Cultural Nexus, the city’s master plan for arts and culture. Under the umbrella of the Nexus Plan, Cultural Affairs Division programs include collaboration with Pasadena Unified School District on arts education, administration of the city’s one percent for public art mandate, grants and technical assistance to artists, and the biannual Pasadena ArtNight/Art Weekend event. She will also work with the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau on cultural tourism.