Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss (pictured, diagnosis right) have impact on the photographic community they have had as the cofounders of FotoFest and the indelible mark they have made on the field internationally, rx for the direct impact they have made on the lives of countless photographers who have gained insight to their work, order found new audiences, and through continuing advocacy, have had their careers established and the world enriched through their image.
For more info:
www.fotofest.org
Art League Houston announces the appointment of Glenn Weiss as the new executive director.
Weiss comes directly from his position as the founding manager of the public art program for Times Square in New York City. His tenure begins on November 1, 2011.
“We are very pleased to welcome Glenn Weiss as our director for the future of Art League Houston,” said Cara Pauloski, Chair of the Board. “As he has done in several positions, Weiss will expand the capabilities of Art League Houston by facilitating innovative ideas of artists and forging partnerships with many types of organizations and communities.”
For more info:
www.artleaguehouston.org
Sundance Cinemas Houston opens its eight screen complex at Bayou Place on November 23.
Based in Los Angeles, Houston will be the third location for Sundance Cinemas in the nation. Programing will be broad, including major important features along with independent and and foreign language films. Special perks include a cafe featuring bistro fare, all of which can be brought into the theater, three-hour validated parking, an art gallery highlighting local artists, Peet’s coffee and popcorn with real butter. Every seat, made of 100 percent wool and recycled plastic, is reserved. Sundance also offers state of the art digital projection and sound systems.
For more info:
www.sundancecinemas.com
Menil Director Josef Helfenstein has promoted Michelle White to the role of Curator.
Notable exhibitions
White has organized for the Menil include “Imaginary Spaces: Selections from the Menil Collection,” “Leaps into the Void: Documents of Nouveau Realist Performance,” and the recently opened “Seeing Stars: Visionary Drawing from the Collection.”
She has recently commissioned a new film installation by Leslie Hewitt and Bradford Young. In her expanded role as curator, White will be instrumental in the planning of exhibitions and collection management of the museum’s holdings of works on paper.
For more info:
www.menil.org
Houston Ballet’s education outreach department has launched a new program this season titled Dance to Learn, an arts integration program that approaches core curriculum from a kinesthetic perspective. Programs will range from 1-6 class sessions, and will be tailored to address grade level work and the school’s/teacher’s needs. In its inaugural year Dance to Learn is in 11 schools.
In company news, soloist Linnar Looris has been promoted to First Soloist.
For more info:
www.houstonballet.org
Houston Arts Alliance offers a workshop, “Small Non-Profit Boards: Putting the FUN in Dysfunctional” with Sean D. Hammerle, chief development officer for the Rothko Chapel on November 30. This interactive session will allow participants to share their experiences, hear case studies, and practice various learning tools in creating a positive experience of change for boards. This session is an excellent experience for executive directors, development professionals, and volunteer board members of small non-profits facing volunteer leadership challenges.
For more info:
www.houstonartsalliance.com
Aurora Picture Show has won a National Alliance for Media Art and Culture (NAMAC) grant to support a study trip to New York City to visit with peer organizations Rhizome, Electronic Arts Intermix and Eyebeam.
For more info:
www.aurorapictureshow.org
Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP) presents “The Cutting Edge of 3D Workshop,” with Scott Prescott and Michael Brims on November 5 and 6 at University of Houston’s Jack J. Valenti School of Communication and Texas Learning and Computation Center. SWAMP has also won a NAMAC grant.
For more info:
www.swamp.org
Through a generous donation from the Simmons Foundation, Writers in the Schools (WITS) announces a second price reduction for the 2011–2012 school year. The new price — which is nearly half of last year’s fee — is available for Title 1 schools with 60 percent or more students eligible for the free/reduced lunch plan. The discount is available on a first-come first-served basis.
For more info:
www.witshouston.org
Urban Souls Dance Company has announced a new educational outreach program “Across the Waters: remixed & re-imagined,” which includes a partnership with Burrus Elementary, who will be performing in their signature work, “Across the Waters,” with the company on November 19.
For more info:
www.urbansoulsdancecompany.com
Cristy Jennings is the new executive director of Talento Bilingue de Houston, a Latino cultural arts center that has been a part of Houston’s art scene for 35 years. Jennings joins TBH Center with a wealth of leadership and strategic planning experience. Among Jennings’ professional achievements: She has facilitated dynamic programs for marketing, promotion and revenue generation for a variety of organizations and held many leadership positions.
The Board of Directors of Opera in the Heights (Oh!) announces the appointment of Lawrence J. Fried as its new executive director. He will oversee all audience development, fundraising, administrative, and community relations activities of the opera company. Mr. Fried has an extensive background in the field of arts organization management. He was Executive Director of the Bellevue (Washington) Philharmonic Orchestra before joining Opera in the Heights. Not a stranger to Texas, Mr. Fried served as General Manager and Artistic Administrator of the San Antonio Symphony prior to that.
“I love opera, and knew I would enjoy helping to run an opera company,” says Fried. “Plus, these are exciting times in the growth of Opera in the Heights. I know I can contribute to its success.”
For more info:
operaintheheights.org
Art League Houston announces the appointment of Glenn Weiss as the new executive director. Weiss comes directly from his position as the founding manager of the public art program for Times Square in New York City. His tenure begins on November 1, 2011. “We are very pleased to welcome Glenn Weiss as our director for the future of Art League Houston,” said Cara Pauloski, Chair of the Board. “As he has done in several positions, Weiss will expand the capabilities of Art League Houston by facilitating innovative ideas of artists and forging partnerships with many types of organizations and communities.”
For more info:
www.artleaguehouston.org
