ART

New Posts: Gwen Darien, who spent eight years as deputy director of New York’s Institute for Contemporary Art (P.S.1 Museum and The Clocktower Gallery), is the new executive director for Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, the 14-year-old downtown arts center that has recently faced financial troubles. Darien replaces Roberto Bedoya, who left LACE late last year. . . . Meanwhile, Santa Monica arts space Highways has appointed Jordan Peimer, a community arts organizer who is secretary of the L.A. Arts Democratic Club and a steering committee member of the L.A. Coalition for Freedom of Expression, to the new post of administrator. The position is funded through a $30,000 James Irvine Foundation grant which will also be used to hire a technical director.