LOS ANGELES, CA.- The California African American Museum announced today that curator, arts administrator, and community leader Isabelle Lutterodt will join the Museum’s staff as deputy director, effective December 2, 2021. She was appointed to the role by Governor Gavin Newsom. Since 2015 Lutterodt has been the director of Barnsdall Art Park and its facilities, including the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.

“On behalf of our board of directors and staff, we are thrilled to welcome Isabelle Lutterodt to CAAM,” said Executive Director Cameron Shaw. “Her deep experience leading civic art institutions combined with her commitments to contemporary art, local history, and community engagement will undoubtedly serve CAAM well, as we strive to engage with even wider audiences in Los Angeles, the West, and beyond.”

“I am deeply honored to have been appointed by Governor Newsom to join the team at CAAM as deputy director,” said Lutterodt. “CAAM has played a significant role in shaping my understanding of the importance of engaging communities in dialogue through exhibitions and public programs. I look forward to building on the Museum's dynamic curatorial vision, expanding its educational programs, increasing access to the collections, and uplifting the achievements of African Americans throughout California’s history.”

At Barnsdall Park Lutterodt oversaw various facilities including Barnsdall Art Center, Barnsdall Junior Arts Center, Barnsdall Junior Arts Center Gallery, and Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, coordinating with multiple City departments to ensure the park’s overall health, advocate for resources and services, and maintain the property and facilities for visitors. She managed a team that generated gallery exhibitions and related programming, as well as art classes for youth and adults.

Prior to her stint at Barnsdall Park, Lutterodt was Director of Visual Arts at Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, and Exhibition Coordinator and then Exhibition Manager at University Art Gallery, UC San Diego. She has served as an independent curator at venues across the Los Angeles metropolitan area, as well as on advisory committees for numerous local arts and cultural organizations.

Lutterodt holds a B.A. in Art with a minor in African American Studies from Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as an M.F.A. in Photography from California Institute of the Arts and an M.A. in Art Museum and Gallery Studies from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.