About Us
Senior Manager, Arts Program
Christopher Chalupsky
Chris Chalupsky oversees the Arts Program at San Diego International Airport (SAN) with a focus on developing programming and partnerships with artists and arts organizations in the San Diego community. Bringing 20+ years of experience in cultural arts and entertainment programming, including record label roles in the music industry of Los Angeles, Chalupsky joined the Arts Program at SAN in 2016 from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. At SAN Chalupsky’s main mission is to help enrich the experience, and thus the lives, of airport patrons through collaborative arts programming of the highest caliber. From 2017-2019 Chalupsky led the creation of a new Arts Master Plan for SAN. This plan will guide the Arts Program for the foreseeable future under his direction. He sits on the San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition Steering Committee (SDRACC), Ocean Beach Planning Board (OBPB), and is a registered member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and Songwriters of North America (SONA). Chalupsky is a Minnesota native and an art creator himself, being a published songwriter and musician.
Curator, Arts Program
Joey Herring
Joey Herring works with local, regional and national artists and arts organizations to curate exhibitions throughout the airport environment. He is also responsible for coordinating and curating the performing arts programming, including the Airport’s annual Performing Arts Residency Program. Herring has more than 10 years professional experience, and before joining the Airport held positions at Tate Modern, The Courtauld Gallery, The San Diego Museum of Art, the University of California San Diego and the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Coordinator, Arts Program
Tony Almanza
Tony Almanza has worked for the Airport Authority for over 10 years and joined the Arts Program team in 2017. He previously held the position of the Airport’s Lead Painter within the Facilities Management Department. Almanza brings with him a vast knowledge of the Airport which enables him to coordinate with colleagues across all divisions and departments of the Authority in order to implement arts programming. Almanza continues to take art history classes, and enjoys visiting museums in his spare time with his wife Esme and his Son Adrian.