Oolite Arts Announces Rina Carvajal as Senior Director of Programs and the Promotion of Cherese Crockett to Director of Artists Residencies
Miami, FL — December 2025 — Oolite Arts is proud to announce the appointment of renowned curator and cultural leader Rina Carvajal as its new Senior Director of Programs, and the promotion of Cherese Crockett to Director of Artists Residencies, reinforcing the organization’s mission to support experimental practice, community impact and the advancement of artists throughout South Florida.
Carvajal arrives at Oolite Arts with more than three decades of international leadership in museums, biennials, cultural strategy and multidisciplinary programming. Her curatorial career includes senior roles at institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, MOCA Los Angeles, the São Paulo Biennial, and significant museums throughout Latin America and Europe. Most recently, Carvajal served as Executive Director and Chief Curator of MOAD at Miami Dade College, where she led institutional transformation efforts, expanded access to contemporary art and forged partnerships among artists, civic leaders and global cultural stakeholders.
As Senior Director of Programs, Carvajal will help shape the organization’s artistic vision while overseeing its exhibitions, residencies, educational initiatives and public programs. Her strategic focus will include strengthening regional arts ecosystems, building sustainable opportunities for artists and cultivating inclusion, experimentation and interdisciplinary inquiry.
“I believe in fostering cultural environments where artists can thrive, where communities are heard and where cultural institutions act as catalysts for inclusion, experimentation and social imagination,” said Carvajal.
“I look forward to the opportunity to do the same at Oolite Arts.”
Oolite Arts also proudly announces the promotion of Cherese Crockett to Director of Artists Residencies. Crockett previously served as Manager of Artists Residencies and later as Interim Director of Programs, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s artist-support structures, public engagement and regional outreach. In her new role, she will return to her core passion: championing the work of Miami-based artists and ensuring that Oolite Arts remains a vital engine for emerging and established creative voices.
Together, Carvajal and Crockett will help guide Oolite Arts into its next chapter as the organization expands its programming and prepares for the development of its new cultural campus, scheduled to break ground in 2026. Their combined leadership represents a continued investment in long-term impact, artistic risk-taking and meaningful community engagement.
Rina Carvajal — Senior Director of Programs, Oolite Arts
Rina Carvajal joins Oolite Arts as Senior Director of Programs, bringing more than three decades of international curatorial leadership and institutional development. With experience in major museums, biennials and cultural organizations across the U.S., Latin America and Europe, she has championed innovative artistic practices and community-centered initiatives throughout her career. At Oolite Arts, she will help shape the organization’s artistic direction, overseeing exhibitions, residencies, educational programs and public engagement efforts while fostering cultural exchange, experimentation and inclusive access to contemporary art.
Cherese Crockett — Director of Artists Residencies, Oolite Arts
Cherese Crockett has been promoted to Director of Artists Residencies at Oolite Arts following her service as Interim Director of Programs and previously as Manager of Artists Residencies. Deeply committed to supporting South Florida’s artistic ecosystem, Crockett will lead residency strategies, provide mentorship, advocate for artists’ needs and strengthen the organization’s professional support services. Her experience and dedication position her to help expand opportunities for regional artists as Oolite Arts enters a new chapter of growth and prepares for its future campus.
About Oolite Arts
Oolite Arts is a Miami-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists and enriching cultural life through residencies, exhibitions, fellowships, education and community programs. Rooted in South Florida’s dynamic creative landscape, Oolite Arts champions innovation, experimentation and access, while nurturing the artists who shape the region’s cultural future.
Learn more at oolitearts.org.
