Sonia Hurtarte, Executive Director Fundacion Paiz. Courtesy Fundacion Paiz
IBA Stage: 24th Bienal de Arte Paiz – Introducing Sonia Hurtarte
Friday, 23 January 2026
9:30AM CST
https://fundacionpaiz.org.gt/bap/eng/
We are pleased to introduce Sonia Hurtarte, Executive Director of Fundación Paiz as guest of the first IBA Stage session of 2026.
As Executive Director of Fundación Paiz, Hurtarte has played a central role in guiding a period of institutional transformation, spearheading organisational restructuring and strengthening the foundation’s long-term strategic vision. Her work has focused on building alliances across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector, reinforcing Guatemala’s cultural ecosystem and positioning the Bienal de Arte Paiz as a key platform within it.
Under her leadership, the Bienal de Arte Paiz has entered a new phase, marked by increased international visibility, expanded partnerships, and a renewed commitment to public engagement. The 24th edition, The World Tree (El Árbol del Mundo), reflects this institutional shift, foregrounding collaboration, sustainability, and cultural dialogue at both local and global levels.
Hurtarte’s professional background spans retail, consulting, and digital media, informing a leadership approach that combines organisational rigor with cultural sensitivity. Alongside her work at Fundación Paiz, she is an active educator and cultural strategist, having taught at several universities and collaborated with the Disney Institute. She also serves on multiple boards dedicated to healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment.
She holds an MBA from Universidad Francisco Marroquín and a BS in Industrial Psychology from Pennsylvania State University, with additional executive education from Kellogg School of Management, UC Berkeley, and the University of Michigan.
At IBA Stage, Sonia Hurtarte joins us together with curator Eugenio Viola to give us a sense of institutional change, governance, and the challenges of sustaining large-scale biennial projects within the region.
To have the possibility to hear and discuss with the individuals behind biennials has been a key component of what we believe IBA can offer to our members and the wider public and we value your participation through our live streams. As always IBA Stage events are meant as a moment to hear about a project through its makers and have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
