The Miami-based Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO) has appointed Manuel de Santaren as its new president. In his new role, he will oversee the foundation’s daily operations, its board, and annual grants and commissions.
Based in Boston, Washington DC, and Miami, De Santaren is a renowned interior designer, art collector, and arts patron, who’s been involved in philanthropic activities for the last several decades.
The non-profit CIFO was founded by the Fontanals-Cisneros in 2002, with the aim of supporting and promoting Latin American artists, bringing their work to global audiences. As its founder and honorary president, collector Ella Fontanals-Cisneros, will remain on CIFO’s board.
Strands of CIFO’s program include the Grants & Commissions Program for emerging, mid-career, and established Latin American artist; the CIFO Collection, the CIFO Art Space, and projects across the US and abroad.
De Santaren is currently co-chair of the Photography Council of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which for the past 12 years has worked in collaboration with the museum’s curatorial team to bolster its collection of photography and video.
He’s also part of the advisory boards of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University.
He collects performance, new media, and time-based works, with a keen interest in emerging artists. His collection has traveled and been exhibited in several international museums.