O.C. Museum of Art cuts chief curator, 4 other jobs

In preparation for its move from Newport Beach to Costa Mesa, the Orange County Museum of Art has eliminated five staff positions, including its chief curator.

Dan Cameron, chief curator since 2011, was notified of the decision on March 26, as were the museum’s assistant curator, associate director of institutional giving, collections manager and marketing manager, a museum representative confirmed.

The museum’s executive director and chief executive, Todd Smith, has assumed the role of acting chief curator. Smith joined OCMA in 2014 and boasts 25 years of curatorial experience.

“There are no plans in the immediate future to hire a chief curator,” said Kirsten Schmidt, deputy director of external affairs for OCMA.

Schmidt said the layoffs will not affect any upcoming showcases.

“The museum remains committed to its mission of showcasing modern and contemporary art, and its current programming levels will remain steady,” she said. “The staff reduction brings the museum’s operation in line with its current earned and contributed income.”

OCMA’s tax forms show an increase in annual revenue from 2010 to 2012. Tax information from 2013 and 2014 has not been made available.

The staff reduction was part of a restructuring plan approved by OCMA’s board of trustees in March in preparation for the museum’s eventual move to Costa Mesa, according to a news release.

The new facility, which is expected to open in 2016, will be wholly owned and operated by OCMA within the arts complex that includes the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Repertory and the Richard Serra sculpture “Connector.”

The site, which is being transferred to the museum, is part of a 6-acre gift announced in 1998 by South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom family.

Along with eliminating the five positions, OCMA created two new ones: deputy director of institutional advancement and director of public engagement.

The deputy director of institutional advancement will be responsible for all of the museum’s fundraising, while the director of public engagement will be in charge of education, outreach and public programming.

In line with the restructuring plan, the museum will boost its exhibition offerings to present a more balanced mix of modern and contemporary art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, the news release states. In addition, the programming will include more projects dedicated to Asia and the Pacific Rim.

“The combination of these initiatives place the museum in the strongest position as it readies to transition to its new world-class showplace at the Segerstrom Center,” OCMA Chairman Craig Wells said.