Hong Kong’s leading contemporary art space Para Site appoints Frances Wu Giarratano as Deputy Director. Giarratano was previously the Senior Head of Development and Communications at Para Site. Before joining Para Site in 2013, Giarratano was the Associate Director of Exhibitions at Independent Curators International (ICI), New York, where she still serves as Exhibitions and Publications Advisor. While at ICI, she oversaw all aspects of the organisation’s touring exhibitions programme, which included 14 exhibitions a year. She worked with more than 100 international institutions (including Para Site in 2009), and directed the production of nine ICI publications, including the award-winning Martha Wilson Sourcebook (2011) and Hans Ulrich Obrist’s do it: the compendium (2013). She received her B.A. in Art History from Georgetown University and M.A. in Museum Studies from New York University. Giarratano will be working closely with Para Site’s Executive Director/Curator Cosmin Costinas in driving the organization toward a new phase in its development as a leading contemporary arts center in Asia. Costinas states: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Fran into her new role. Her vast experience, talent and passion will make a decisive impact on our institution at this time of significant development.”
Para Site is also awarded largest-ever grant from the Home Affairs Bureau in the organisation’s 18-year history. Costinas said the Grant was an endorsement of Para Site’s vision and recognized the important role the institution plays in Hong Kong. “It comes at an incredibly crucial point for Para Site as it looks to expand and build on its position as Hong Kong’s leading mid-sized contemporary arts organization. Together with the private support from individual patrons, annual fundraising auction, and corporate sponsorship, this government grant, which starts in September 2014, guarantees Para Site’s growth at both a local and at an international level.”