Exhibitions, Curation, Artist Management @the_smart_collective

Mauricio Miguel Velasco is an entrepreneur and museum professional with a diverse background in curation, collections management, artist relations, and exhibition installation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside (2014) and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of San Francisco (2018). His academic journey reflects his deep commitment to understanding cultural heritage and exploring innovative ways to engage communities through art. Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, and raised in a diverse, working-class neighborhood in Los Angeles, Mauricio’s upbringing instilled in him an inclusive perspective that he brings to his work in the arts. Mauricio is the founder of The smArt Collective, a service-based artist collective now headquartered in San Francisco. Originally established in Los Angeles, the collective is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships among artists, professionals, and supporters, having done so both nationwide and internationally. The collective mission is to create an inclusive, ever-growing, borderless network that promotes quality and accessibility in its artistic services. Passionate about connecting with like-minded professionals, Mauricio is eager to network and collaborate with individuals who share his vision of redefining the boundaries of art. He believes in the power of collaboration within the art community to create innovative exhibitions, community-driven projects, and meaningful partnerships that inspire and transform. An avid traveler, Mauricio makes it a point to visit local museums wherever he goes—from the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in New Zealand to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. These experiences continually fuel his creativity and commitment to the arts.