Arts Agenda
Naturally, it's going to be a bit slow around the galleries this weekend, partly due to the holiday, and partly because everyone is scrambling to get their exhibits ready for the annual Art Basel Miami (and the many events leapfrogging off it nearby) next weekend, generally regarded as the most prestigious art fair in the country. Instead, let's catch up on some art news this week. Don't forget that most museums in town are open all weekend, including Thanksgiving.
We like the cut of Tyler Green's jib over at Modern Art Notes. After the success of last year, he's again picking a handful of art projects from DonorsChoose.org, a web site dedicated to funding microprojects in public schools. As Green points out, No Child Left Behind, among other things, has gutted art programming just about everywhere, but with projects that often cost less than a few hundred dollars to fund, DonorsChoose.org allows folks like you and me make a real difference with a couple bucks. The first project in the Modern Art Notes' 2008 Drive got fully funded by readers barely 24 hours after he posted it Tuesday, so he's posted a few more. I just threw in $50: anyone care to match it? Of course, donations are tax deductible.
The Cultural Development Corporation (which runs Flashpoint and the Source theater, among other things) just made an exciting announcement: they're now running The Greater Washington Creative Communities Initiative (CCI). CCI gives sizeable grants to artists around the region and enough to help the artist pay for living and studio space, as well as the time to work. The artists are required to engage with underserved areas of the community, and also participate in a professional development program. We spoke with Program Manager Karyn Miller today, who told us the grant program is fully funded for two years and will fund around 8-10 artists. We'll let you know more about CCI next spring when they start looking for artists.
Over at the Washington Project for the Arts, Kim Ward resigned this week from her position as Executive Director for the last six years. In her announcement, she notes that the WPA is in the "healthiest position the organization has held in over 20 years," evidenced clearly when it split from the Corcoran last year. Ward is leaving to spend more time with her family, and will continue a relationship with the WPA through their Board of Trustees. No word yet on who will replace her.
Photo by Liliang
The DC Commission on Arts and Humanities has opened their call for nominations for the 24th Annual Mayor's Art Awards. Do you know a deserving emerging artist, or someone with outstanding service to art education? Nominations are due December 15, so check out the categories here and get those names in soon. Awards will be given out next March.
The DCCAH is also looking to fill out its Performing Artist Roster Program. If you have some talent in dance, music, or theater and want to put yourself out there, head over to their web site and fill out their application.
If you like a good city mural, there are a couple new ones around town to engage your eyes on your walks around town. Last week the DCCAH and the Neighborhood Investment Fund unveiled the new work at the Boys and Girls Club at 14th Street and Clifton Street NW, featuring images of a number of well-known D.C. areas, like the fountain at Meridian Hill Park, along with historical faces, and images of dancers and playground kids. Over at 11th and Park streets NW, Albus Cavus, an arts collective, teamed up with local architecture firm 3DG to beautify the construction fences on the corner, as the 10,000 sq. ft. building is renovated for office space and Meridian Pint.
Elsewhere Around Town:
- Artery 717 has an opening this Saturday for three artists in Liberated Canvases. Donations and part of the sales go to benefit the Children of Tibet Trust Foundation. 7 to 11 p.m.
- The Japanese Information & Culture Center opens an exhibit on Monday featuring photography by 11 contemporary Japanese artists. Exhibit is open regular hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
- This Friday is the grand reopening of the Pyramid Atlantic Community Arts Store at their new location on Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring. Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. stop by for free activities, champagne, ice cream tasting and more.