Antonio Grassi, the president of Funarte (an organ of Brazil's Ministry of Culture) will leave his post to assume the title of Executive Director at Inhotim Institute, in Belo Horizonte.
Invited by collector Bernardo Paz of Minas Gerais, Grassi will supervise the expansion of Inhotim Institute into other artistic expressions. In a recent interview with O'Globo Cultura, Grassi explained in detail the upcoming challenges he will face in his new position. "I was called to bring new ideas for programming and special projects at Inhotim, whose priority is now to incorporate other languages (…). My role will be to develop a new potential. With the opening of a hotel at Inhotim (…), we will have an intense nighttime program. I want to bring dance, drama, music, as well as audiovisual projects."
Grassi presided over Funarte for two periods, first 2003-2007 and then 2011 to last month. His main contribution to the cultural organization has been a considerable expansion of resources for the direct promotion of a variety of programs. Additionally, last year Grassi coordinated the Year of Brazil in Portugal, Brazil's participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, and the renovation of São Paulo's Teatro Brasileiro de Comédia, slated for inauguration by the end of the year. Myriam Lewis, Executive Director of Funarte, will assume as interim President until a new permanent President is selected by Brazil's minister of culture Marta Suplicy.