Arts & Culture Manager – Institutional Developer

Postgraduate in Art Appraiser – Painting & University Degree in Preparation of Expert Reports (EUROINNOVA – NEBRIJA UNIVERSITY, 2023). Double degree: Art Appraiser – Painting (300 hours) and University Degree in Preparation of Expert Reports (5 ECTS credits, 125 hours). Accredited by organizations in Spain and Latin America.

Master’s in Conservation and Management of Built Cultural Heritage (University of Cuenca, 2022). Jonathan completed a master’s program combining valuation, conservation, and management of built cultural heritage.

Economics and Management of Cultural Heritage and Entertainment
(Catholic University of Milan, Italy, March 2009). Thesis: “Milan Tourist Card,” rated
“Outstanding” and adopted by the Municipality of Milan. Business Administration (BA) (University of Coventry, England, 2002 – 2003)

Completed basic university courses in business administration.

 Cuenca City Council

Director of Culture, Recreation, and Knowledge (Cuenca, Ecuador, March 2024 –
September 2025). Jonathan was invited by Mayor PhD. Cristian Zamora to serve as
Director of Culture, Recreation, and Knowledge for the GAD Municipal Canton of
Cuenca. He oversaw programmatic lines and axes including museums, cultural
centers, heritage houses, libraries, public spaces, promotion, research, municipal
editorial projects, and recreation-sports.

The mission of his directorate was to develop and enhance a comprehensive,
participatory, democratic, inclusive, efficient, and effective Integrated Management
System for culture, creation, and the promotion of intangible heritage and
knowledge in Cuenca, aiming to foster social and productive development by
recovering traditional cultures, strengthening new expressions, promoting freedom of
expression, and ensuring universal access to spaces of identity and creation.
Jonathan’s management prioritized economic reactivation in the cultural sector,
promoting arts, culture, and heritage in both urban and rural zones. He strengthened
citizen participation through cantonal culture roundtables and coordinated with
institutions like the Ecuadorian House of Culture and local universities.

He advanced national cultural exchanges, optimized the management of museums,
heritage houses, and libraries, and initiated innovative projects such as the first art fair
at the Municipal Museum of Modern Art and the “Cuenca, Roots and Colors”
program for urban artistic interventions.Cuenca was elevated to a “City of Festivals” by supporting diverse festivities and events such as the III International Book Fair, Escenarios del Mundo, and the Cámara Lucida International Film Festival. Jonathan also managed significant monuments, including one for Olympic medalist Daniel Pintado and the restoration of “The Totems.”

He transformed 26 libraries and archives into intercultural “IKATS,” facilitated
agreements for digital training, and promoted children’s reading through
international cooperation funds. The Municipal Editorial produced nearly 30
publications, and over $600,000 was allocated in contestable funds for urban art,
editorial, festival, phonography, exhibitions, residencies, and research projects.
In recreation and sports, he oversaw 50 bailotherapy points, sports schools in soccer,
volleyball, basketball, and boxing, rural championships, and the “Salsa de los 4 Ríos”
program.

Jonathan led the update of the 2035 Cantonal Culture Plan, instituted rotating shifts
for operational efficiency, implemented a protocol against violence toward women
in cultural events, and enacted a resolution to ensure artists are paid for their work in
municipal spaces. He also served as secretary on cantonal commissions, processing
nominations for streets and cultural themes. His leadership and teamwork
contributed to maintaining Cuenca’s position as a regional cultural reference.

 Inter-American Center of Crafts and Popular Arts – CIDAP

Subdirector of Craft and Cultural Promotion (Cuenca, Ecuador, July 2019 – March
2024). Jonathan coordinated directly with the executive direction at CIDAP, an
institution dedicated to the safeguarding and promotion of crafts for over 49 years.
He managed human teams, national and continental artisan training units, the
Museum and Reserve of the Crafts of America (housing more than 9,000 cultural
assets), fairs and the International Festival of Crafts of America—the largest in
Ecuador—plus the documentation center and strategic management.
He was responsible for craft tours, national and international projects and alliances,
as well as negotiating and securing funds for institutional projects. Jonathan
developed self-management strategies for CIDAP and oversaw applications for
national and international funding.

 Independent Roles

Art Merchant, Art Appraiser, Producer, and Consultant (Ecuador, August 2010 –
Present). Jonathan works independently in cultural production, museological and
creative consulting, sponsorship acquisition, and culture administration for institutions and artists. He represents artists, commercializes works, manages live performances, installations, murals, and other artistic expressions, and conducts art appraisals for institutions and individuals. He also serves as an auctioneer for art auctions.

Project Incubator Coordinator (Cuenca, Ecuador, April 2019 – July 2019). Jonathan
coordinated the CCENA Project Incubator, designed to create an ecosystem in
Cuenca for cultural entrepreneurship. The program included training, seed funds,
and support for planning and business development in cultural entrepreneurship. It
brought together public and private companies, universities, and financial
institutions, and was the first Ecuadorian project to win the UNESCO fund for cultural
diversity in 2019, out of 480 international entries.

 Bunker Cultural Center – Cantina & Gallery

Manager / Owner (Cuenca, Ecuador, July 2017 – April 2019)
Jonathan founded and managed a multidisciplinary space offering cultural services
including visual arts, theater, literature, cinema, independent design, and event
advisory. The center also featured a restaurant and bar with international cuisine and
local touches.
 Ministry of Culture and Heritage of Ecuador
Zonal Coordinator 6 (Cuenca, Ecuador, January 2017 – July 2017). Responsible for
the Pumapungo Zonal Museum and Zonal Coordination 6, Jonathan oversaw
technical secretariats and collaborated with Cantonal and Parochial GADs, public
and private institutions, and citizens in the provinces of Azuay, Cañar, and Morona
Santiago. He ensured compliance with the Culture Law and coordinated between
affiliated entities, including the Cuenca Symphony Orchestra and various museums
and cultural centers.
Director of the Pumapungo Zonal Museum (Cuenca, Ecuador, January 2013 – July
2017). Jonathan administered the Pumapungo Cultural Complex, applying the
“Opening the Gray Cube” management plan. The complex includes the Pumapungo
Museum, national and temporary exhibition halls, an archaeological park,
ethnobotanical park, avifauna rescue center, library, historical archive, and more.
The Loja Museum features archaeological, ethnographic, and colonial exhibitions.

 Cuenca Municipal Contemporary Art Biennial Foundation

Acting Executive Director (Cuenca, Ecuador, November 2012 – January 2013)
Jonathan managed the institution, overseeing departments, projects, and programs
during the transition period.
Administrative Coordinator Technical Area (May 2012 – January 2013). He
coordinated with artists, managed exhibition proposals, and established contacts
with cultural institutions to plan and execute the Biennial and its permanent projects.
He guaranteed space availability and played a transversal role in project planning,
coordination, and execution in museography, curation, and documentation.

 Foundation Museums of the City of Quito – Metropolitan System of
Museums and Cultural Centers – SIMMYC

(Quito, Ecuador, November 2010 – May 2012). Jonathan contributed to the ideation
and development of the Metropolitan System of Museums and Cultural Centers,
fostering inter-institutional collaboration among 60 museums and centers. He
developed projects across education, management, communication, territory, and
community, including the “Quito Museums and Cultural Centers Pass.” He also built
strategic alliances and secured sponsorships for the system’s activities and
exhibitions.

 Material ConneXion Milano

Sales Executive (Milan, Italy, August 2009 – August 2010). Jonathan managed client
relations, provided follow-up and feedback, and sought new professional and
corporate clients for this leading company in innovative materials for design,
architecture, industrial production, fashion, and art.
Director of Events and Exhibitions (January 2008 – August 2009). He interacted with
museum visitors and coordinated with Triennale di Milano Museum staff on exhibition
planning and execution, organizing events for designers, architects, artists, and
institutions.

 Teaching and Academia

University of Cuenca: Faculty of Arts – Theater and Dance / Design
Lecturer (Cuenca, Ecuador, April 2019 – September 2021)
Jonathan taught at the university level in Theater & Dance and Design, covering
subjects such as Project Management and Administration, Introduction to
Contemporary Thinking, Technologies Applied to the Stage, Cultural Manifestations
Appreciation, Marketing, Workshops on Production and Cultural Management, and
Postcolonial Anthropological Research. He also served as a thesis tutor and
graduation committee member.
University of the Arts / Latin American Institute for Research in Arts – ILIA
Blind Peer Reviewer for F-ILIA Magazine (Guayaquil, Ecuador, February 2021 –
Present)
Jonathan serves as a blind peer reviewer, evaluating articles for publication in F-ILIA,
which addresses methodologies, research, policies, management, and cultural rights
in arts and sciences.
Azuay Technological Institute
Jonathan participated in the curriculum validation for the Higher Technology Career
in Historical Cultural Heritage Management, organized by the institute and the
Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (Senescyt).

International relationships, People and institutional management and developement, Strategic development

ICOM

English (Native Speaker Level), intermediate French, Italian (Native Speaker Level), Spanish (Native)