San Francisco, 2007
Luca Campigotto
Laurence Miller Gallery
Matthew Goudeau has been appointed as the city of San Francisco’s first-ever executive director of arts and culture. In his new role, Goudeau will be responsible for ensuring that the arts remain a cornerstone of the city’s creative economy and identity. While nationwide funding at the federal level is under threat, the appointment comes at a moment when arts funding in the city is on track to increase this year under leadership by Mayor Daniel Lurie.
“San Francisco’s arts and culture ecosystem is the most vibrant in the country, and under my administration, the government is going to do a better job supporting those artists and organizations who are driving our city’s economic recovery,” Mayor Lurie said in a press statement. “As we bring together our arts departments to strengthen our support for this sector, we need a leader who is steeped in the community—Matthew Goudeau pairs that experience with a deep commitment to San Francisco. I am excited for the work he will do to support our artists, strengthen our cultural institutions, and keep this community at the forefront of our city’s recovery.”
As part of his responsibilities, Goudeau will unite the San Francisco Arts Commissions, Grants for the Arts, and the Film Commission into one department. He was selected for the role from nearly 260 applicants following a three-month nationwide search. Goudeau previously served as the chief development officer at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where he was responsible for fundraising and strategic partnerships. He was also the former director of Grants for the Arts. Throughout his work with the San Francisco government, he has overseen $18 million in annual public funding and has worked with six different mayors. Goudeau previously led fundraising for the David Ireland House in the Mission District and the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas. His capital campaign at the latter supported a major permanent piece by Robert Irwin.
Goudeau shared: “I am lucky to have been part of this community for years, in both major cultural institutions and small. In every role I’ve had, I have gone to bat for these organizations as well as the artists, workers, and visitors that keep them going—and it will be a privilege to be their champion in city government. As we bring together the city’s arts departments, I will rely on the experience and ideas of the artists, cultural workers, agency staff, and communities across the city to strengthen the creative sector and build on the work this community has done to make San Francisco the most exciting, creative city in the world.”
