Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Board Membership
Timeline
Generic

Ilan Gutin

Denver,CO

Summary

Dynamic Curator and Gallery Director with 11+ years of experience in the arts, specializing in community engagement, inclusive curation, and strategic outreach. I lead large-scale exhibitions and programs while supervising marketing, gallery development, and artist/organizational communications efforts. I am passionate about supporting artists, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and building equitable, collaborative spaces. I am skilled in cultivating lasting partnerships and creating innovative programming that inspires diverse audiences, and strengthens community ties.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Gallery Director

Visions West Contemporary
Denver, Colorado
07.2025 - Current
  • Lead curatorial strategy and gallery operations, overseeing exhibitions, sales, and communications.
  • Collaborate with artists and engage audiences through programs, talks, and partnerships, positioning the gallery as both a commercial and educational platform within Denver’s cultural ecosystem.

Curator and Engagement Director

PlatteForum
Denver, CO
02.2024 - Current
  • Company Overview: nonprofit
  • Manage press relations, marketing, and brand development for the gallery and residency programs.
  • Spearheaded marketing plan and brand strategies that increased event attendance and fundraising.
  • Write and distribute bi-weekly newsletters and manage digital marketing for social media.
  • Collaborated on writing grant applications to support program development and operations.
  • Manage all aspects of the gallery and artist residency program and support staff, working with resident artists on exhibition content and design, press releases, and artist statements.
  • Lead the development and construction of all new exhibits and exhibition programming.
  • Plan and manage all public and private engagement and special events for the organization.
  • Present and support strategic planning initiatives to the Board of Directors.
  • Cultivate relationships with artists and organizations in support of organization programming.
  • Nonprofit

Curator and Co-Director

Friend of a Friend Gallery
Denver, CO
01.2024 - Current
  • Curate exhibitions in collaboration with artists to align concepts with the gallery's mission and vision.
  • Oversee exhibition production, including installation, marketing, public programming, and event execution.
  • Develop community engagement initiatives to enhance art appreciation and audience participation.
  • Manage gallery budgeting, fundraising efforts, and financial planning for sustainable operations.
  • Foster partnerships with local organizations to expand outreach and support.

President and Board Member

Tilt West
Denver, CO
05.2023 - Current
  • Company Overview: nonprofit
  • Drive executive leadership and strategic vision for a nonprofit dedicated to advancing critical discourse around art, culture, and society.
  • Guide board governance, manage organizational priorities, and oversee collaborative initiatives across committees.
  • Coordinate and host member-facing programs and events, including roundtable discussions, networking gatherings, and public forums.
  • Strengthen fundraising initiatives and cultivate community partnerships to expand Tilt West's impact and long-term sustainability.
  • Represent the organization publicly and in collaboration with partner institutions in Denver's cultural landscape.
  • Nonprofit

Membership and Program Director/Gallery Curator

Art Gym Denver
Denver, CO
11.2021 - 02.2024
  • Managed a staff of six, all membership, marketing, gallery and studio programming in order to reach new audiences.
  • Partnered with local arts organizations and artists to implement new programming.
  • Managed all marketing efforts and brainstorming innovative ways to reach new audiences.
  • Curated monthly gallery exhibitions and opening events.
  • Hosted events such as artist talks, workshops, panels, and gallery receptions.
  • Generated a 75% increase in annual membership through targeted initiatives.

Secretary and Board Member

Tilt West
Denver, CO
09.2021 - 05.2023
  • Company Overview: nonprofit
  • Maintained accurate and timely records of board meetings, agendas, and action items.
  • Served as Membership Events Coordinator, organizing and executing events to engage and retain community members.
  • Collaborated with board members to develop programming and refine Tilt West's mission-driven impact.
  • Produced compelling content and coordinated communication efforts to enhance outreach and connect with key audiences.
  • Nonprofit

Artist Mentor & Gallery Coordinator

Art Gym Denver
Denver, CO
02.2020 - 11.2021
  • Mentored member artists daily with their art practice through critique and artistic guidance.
  • Designed and hosted gallery exhibitions every 4-6 weeks, and handled all art sales transactions.
  • Designed, launched and maintained an online shop for artwork to be purchased virtually.
  • Success in this role resulted in a promotion to the position of Membership and Program Director/Gallery Curator.

Instructor, Print on Fabric & Alternative Materials

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Designed and presented comprehensive instruction on fabric-based printmaking methods, incorporating screen-printing, relief techniques, and natural dye applications.
  • Created the course syllabus, conducted class demos, monitored individual student progress, and led critiques.

Assistant Director of International Admissions

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL
07.2017 - 01.2020
  • Identified and engaged high-potential high school art students in international regions to support recruitment goals.
  • Coordinated large scale admissions events in numerous countries.
  • Strategically identified top school venues and delivered compelling presentations to administrators and students to recruit the country's top art candidates.
  • Conducted portfolio reviews at each high school identified, and offered feedback for prospective students on how to improve their portfolio for admission.
  • Reviewed portfolios and applications for admission to SAIC, as well as merit reviews for scholarship.

Founder and Executive Director

Fernwey Gallery
Chicago, IL
07.2014 - 07.2018
  • Established and managed a contemporary art gallery for emerging artists in Chicago.
  • Oversaw all aspects of gallery management and production.
  • Selected and curated artists for exhibitions, and conducted studio visits.
  • Managed weekly operational meetings with partners and staff.
  • Directed and curated installations of artwork in the gallery space.
  • Hosted gallery openings and events every six weeks.
  • Managed budget and spending for gallery related expenses.
  • Oversaw gallery sales.
  • Initiated and oversaw Fernwey Editions Print Program.

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL
08.2016 - 07.2017
  • Led recruitment efforts across the West Coast, implementing targeted strategies to engage and enroll top art candidates.
  • Exceeded recruitment goals by enrolling a high volume of qualified candidates, resulting in a promotion to oversee international recruitment initiatives.

Education

Master of Fine Arts - Printmedia

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
05.2014

Bachelor of Arts - Studio Arts

The University of Maryland
College Park, MD
12.2008

Skills

  • Curatorial strategy
  • Strategic planning
  • Exhibition planning
  • Art handling
  • Artist relations
  • Organizational growth
  • Grant writing
  • Digital marketing
  • Budget management
  • Arts administration

Board Membership

  • President and Board Member, Tilt West (nonprofit), 05/23, Present, Denver, CO, Drive executive leadership and strategic vision for a nonprofit dedicated to advancing critical discourse around art, culture, and society., Guide board governance, manage organizational priorities, and oversee collaborative initiatives across committees., Coordinate and host member-facing programs and events, including roundtable discussions, networking gatherings, and public forums., Strengthen fundraising initiatives and cultivate community partnerships to expand Tilt West's impact and long-term sustainability., Represent the organization publicly and in collaboration with partner institutions in Denver's cultural landscape.
  • Secretary and Board Member, Tilt West (nonprofit), 09/21, 05/23, Denver, CO, Maintained accurate and timely records of board meetings, agendas, and action items., Served as Membership Events Coordinator, organizing and executing events to engage and retain community members., Collaborated with board members to develop programming and refine Tilt West's mission-driven impact., Produced compelling content and coordinated communication efforts to enhance outreach and connect with key audiences.

Timeline

Gallery Director

Visions West Contemporary
07.2025 - Current

Curator and Engagement Director

PlatteForum
02.2024 - Current

Curator and Co-Director

Friend of a Friend Gallery
01.2024 - Current

President and Board Member

Tilt West
05.2023 - Current

Membership and Program Director/Gallery Curator

Art Gym Denver
11.2021 - 02.2024

Secretary and Board Member

Tilt West
09.2021 - 05.2023

Artist Mentor & Gallery Coordinator

Art Gym Denver
02.2020 - 11.2021

Instructor, Print on Fabric & Alternative Materials

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
01.2018 - 01.2020

Assistant Director of International Admissions

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
07.2017 - 01.2020

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
08.2016 - 07.2017

Founder and Executive Director

Fernwey Gallery
07.2014 - 07.2018

Master of Fine Arts - Printmedia

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts - Studio Arts

The University of Maryland
Ilan Gutin