SFAI Names Jessica Gaynelle Moss as Artist Relations Director

SFAI Names Jessica Gaynelle Moss as Artist Relations Director

The Santa Fe Art Institute has appointed Jessica Gaynelle Moss as Artist Relations Director, joining the leadership team under Executive Director Toccarra Thomas at a pivotal moment of institutional growth.

Founded in 1985, SFAI has engaged over 5,000 artists and 30,000 community members through programming that positions contemporary art as a tool for dialogue and social impact. Moss’s appointment signals a deeper investment in artist-centered practice and long-term support models.

An artist, curator, and advisor, Moss brings a strong track record in building residency ecosystems and advancing community-based work. Her experience includes collaborations with institutions such as The National Museum of African American History and Culture and The Heinz Endowments, along with leadership in residency initiatives nationwide.

She is the founding director of The Roll Up CLT and serves as Managing Director of Sibyls Shrine, a national network supporting over 150 Black artists across 19 states with resources spanning funding, professional development, and childcare support, an increasingly critical layer in sustaining artistic careers.

In her new role, Moss will oversee fellowships, residencies, and artist partnerships, helping shape how SFAI supports artists within both institutional and public-facing contexts.

Her appointment reflects a broader shift across the field toward infrastructure that not only presents artists, but sustains them.

Jessica Gaynelle Moss _ photo credit THURNER PHOTOGRAPHY