It's that time again... Workshops from Austin's Art in Public Places program are open to the public, but registration is required. Please join us and check back for updates!
AIPP Workshops are brought to you through the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division's Take it to the Next Level professional development workshops. Next Level workshops are offered to enhance the management capacity of nonprofit creative organizations and to grow jobs, wealth, and the economic impact of the creative economy. Now in its second year (fourth year for the Art in Public Places Program), the Next Level identified workshop topics for 2009 by surveying previous participants in order to respond to the needs of the creative sector.
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Online registration is now closed. On-site registration will be available on Saturday from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Only cash or check payments will be accepted.
Those registering on Saturday should plan to bring a bag lunch.
Date Saturday, September 12, 2009; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location Thompson Conference Center, University of Texas campus
(2405 Robert Dedman Drive; Austin, TX 78712
Click to download the event program
Join Austin’s Art in Public Places program for Discovery and Dialogue, a day-long symposium highlighted by lunch with nationally renowned artist and MacArthur Fellow, Ned Kahn, whose creative interventions fuel
imaginations worldwide.
Participate in a mix of dynamic panel discussions and compare notes with innovators, City staff, policymakers and peers. It may just turn your idea of public art on its head...
Six, one-hour sessions to hear from art stars & experts, receive insider tips on getting noticed (and selected!), contemplate community critique of work in public space, and demystify your leap into the field. From studio to commission to advocacy, acquire the tools to map your own course.
Online registration is now closed.
On-site registration will be available on Saturday from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Only cash or check payments will be accepted.
Those registering on Saturday should plan to bring a bag lunch.
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The day begins with an introduction to the city’s Art in Public Places program, how funding and projects originate, the nuts and bolts of Calls to Artists, the application and selection process, commission stages, insurance, contracts and more! We will also discuss the Artist Registry, the AIPP Panel and Arts Commission, and the donation process. Lots of time will be given to Question and Answer, being driven by participants. The spiral-bound Public Art Resource Guide is a freebie to take home.
Meghan Turner, Art in Public Places Coordinator
Beatrice Thomas, Artist and Art in Public Places Panel Chair
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Low maintenance is the name of the game! This session will examine the use of various materials for outdoor, permanent public art in Texas, and the success of new technologies being implemented for public spaces in our backyard and beyond. We will explore trends involving temporary, digital and projection art, with an emphasis on troubleshooting ideas and thinking about long- and short-term implementation and creative artwork solutions.
Catherine Williams, Objects Conservator for Silver Lining Art Conservation, LLC
Josh Ball, Logistics Consultant for First Night Austin
Bill FitzGibbons, Artist and Executive Director of Blue Star Contemporary Art Center (San Antonio)
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Award-winning artist and MacArthur Fellow, Ned Kahn (Sebastopol, CA), has been commissioned to create artwork for the new Austin Energy System Control Center. Don’t miss this chance to see his extensive public art portfolio based on the natural phenomena of wind, fog, light, water, sand, air and fire, and hear his unique perspective on public art. An inspiring lunch with an amazing, internationally known artistic mind!
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Lynn Basa (Chicago, IL), author of “The Artist’s Guide to Public Art,” will share valuable, practical information for artists applying to public art Calls, including writing compelling letters of interest, preparing proposals and budgets, dealing with controversy, and working with fabricators. This experienced public artist is nationally known for her tips and advice. If you are interested in applying for public art commissions, this session is not to be missed! BONUS: Lynn will also be meeting with artists in two small group sessions in the Resource Lounge.
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This session focuses on the challenging balance involving aesthetic merit, artistic expression, and the demands of the public realm. Local art critics will chime in on what it means to create meaningful artwork in public spaces and how criticism applies to the particular rigors of the public art world. We will also learn more about how Landmarks, the University of Texas public art program, has been received and the role it plays in shaping Austin’s creative environment.
Jaime Salvador Castillo, Artist, Writer and Art in Public Places Panelist
Kate Watson, Writer and Critic
Nicole Vlado, Internal Affairs Coordinator, Landmarks Program
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Are you ready to let your voice be heard? This session will explore how visual artists can be more effective advocates for themselves and their field, by connecting with various local, state and national policymakers. Local public relations specialists will lend you some insight, tips and tricks in getting the word out to the people you want to reach.
Stephanie Lee McDonald, Aide to Austin City Council Member, Sheryl Cole
Jim Ray, Ray Associates, Inc.
David Wyatt, Wyatt Brand Public Relations
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To cap off the day, this casual opportunity will allow participants to exchange information with each other, program staff, and many of the panelists featured throughout the event.
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PLUS! A Resource Lounge will be your landing pad for networking or resource exchanges and home to solo and small group consultations. Michael Kranes will be available to meet one-on-one to provide feedback on resumes and artist statements. Or, take a break from feeding your mind to share snacks and ideas. Then, grab a breath of fresh air with docent-led tours of the UT Landmarks collection, scheduled throughout the day.
For more information call 512-974-9314.
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Participants' Bios
NED KAHN earned a degree in environmental studies from the University of Connecticut in 1982. He then worked until 1996 designing educational exhibits at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, a hands-on science and technology environment. He apprenticed there to Frank Oppenheimer, the centre's founder and brother of atomic physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Flourishing in the facility’s research and development atmosphere, Kahn began developing his own ideas in the late 1980’s. Kahn has created both temporary and permanent pieces throughout the U.S. and Europe. His designs incorporate natural elements such as water, fog, sand and light in interior and exterior installations ranging in size from a few feet to entire building façades.
Kahn is the recipient of such prestigious awards as a 2003 MacArthur Fellowship, Cooper-Hewitt's 2004 National Design Award for Environmental Design, the 2005 Year in Review Award from the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network, and the AIA Honor Award (with Koning/Eizenberg) in 2006 for the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum.
(Ned Kahn, Articulated Cloud, 2004)
“The confluence of science and art has fascinated me throughout my career. For the last fifteen years, I have developed a body of work inspired by atmospheric physics, geology, astronomy and fluid motion. I strive to create artworks that enable viewers to observe and interact with natural processes. I am less interested I creating an alternate reality than I am in capturing, through my art, the mysteriousness of the world around us.
My artworks frequently incorporate flowing water, fog, sand and light to create complex and continually changing systems. Many of these works can be seen as “observatories” in that they frame and enhance our perception of natural phenomena. I am intrigued with the way patterns can emerge when things flow. These patterns are not static objects, they are patterns of behavior – recurring themes in nature.”
JOSHUA BALL started doing event production by producing a series of concerts on his family’s farm 25 minutes south-east of Austin. In subsequent years, he began introducing more and more permanent and semi-permanent art installations from local artists. They ranged from large sculptural pieces to an interactive stop motion table. He was responsible for curation as well as protecting the pieces from the elements. This led to becoming the Technical Director for First Night Austin, a role that in any other event would not be so hands-on with the artists. This opportunity allowed him to become primarily involved in the cost analysis of aspects of various artists’ proposals. He now assists artists with pricing, acquisition of materials and supplementary production items necessary to display pieces in this primarily outdoor setting. He facilitates the creative process of taking an idea to a final product, by helping artists to define all of the pieces involved in a cohesive budget with the best resources, practices and materials available.
LYNN BASA earned a Bachelor of Arts in studio art and art history at the Indiana University in 1977 and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in public art policy and management in 1981. Basa has spent her entire adult life involved with public art in some form or another. In addition to permanent public art installations she creates paintings, tapestries and rugs. Currently, she is a full-time artist living in Chicago and her work can be found in numerous public, corporate, museum and private collections.
Basa teaches a course in public art professional practices in the Sculpture Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. When she began teaching she discovered that there weren't any career guides for artists on how to navigate the public art business -- so she wrote one. That resulted in the 2008 publication of “The Artist’s Guide to Public Art: How to Find and Win Commissions”.
Basa speaks throughout the U.S. on “Making the Leap to Public Art” and “Finding and Winning Public Art Commissions”.
JAIME SALVADOR CASTILLO received his BFA in studio art from The University of Texas at Austin in 2005. For the past four years he has maintained an informative Austin arts blog featuring critical art reviews, event listings, gallery maps and links; as well as contributing reviews and features to Austin Chronicle, Glasstire, …might be good and Bad At Sports. For 2 years he has worked as the portfolio advisor for Young Artists @ Arthouse. He has also been invited by various youth organizations to conduct artist talks and career talks. Last year Castillo facilitated an international show of emerging Texas artists when he co-curated a sculptural exhibition in Mexico. He is currently working on a number of curatorial projects scheduled through 2010. And recently he was appointed as a panelist for Austin’s Art In Public Places.
“Responsibility is a term that is continually on my mind.” This is the motto that has guided Castillo's actions. As an artist, writer, curator and art educator, he is committed to promoting creative expression, critical thinking and experiential learning at the intersections of art, community and education.
BILL FITZGIBBONS received his BFA in Sculpture and Art History from the University of Tennessee, and his MFA in Sculpture and Multi-Media from Washington University in St. Louis. Bill has received over thirty public art commissions in five countries. In 1979, he became the first curator at Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, Missouri. From 1985 until 1988, he was appointed as the Director of Sculpture at the Visual Art Center in Anchorage, Alaska. In 1988, he became the Department Head of Sculpture at the San Antonio Art Institute. In 1991, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar for the Hungarian Art Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Bill has also been on the adjunct faculty at Trinity University in San Antonio. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio.
MICHAEL KRANES owns Resumeslayer.com and works with clients nationwide in writing dynamic marketing material for job searches and career development. Having written hundreds and hundreds of résumés—his “day job” as he was struggling to make it as a writer in Hollywood—Michael draws on his training in writing (MFA in Playwriting from University of Texas at Austin), design (Illustration study at Parsons School of Design in NYC), and teaching English and grammar (Polymath Academy). An artist himself, Michael “gets it” when it comes to the challenges of listing and showcasing many diverse projects and skills on one manageable document. These are puzzles he enjoys solving, and has written many successful résumés for creative directors, photographers, filmmakers, animators, chefs, graphic designers, theatre teachers, artistic directors, and many more.
STEPHANIE LEE MCDONALD serves as policy director to Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole and assisted the Council Member in generating stakeholder support for a $125 million intergovernmental financing agreement to construct the Waller Creek tunnel and is now working on implementing a vision for the district. Currently an underutilized area in a rapidly redeveloping downtown, the vision for Waller Creek includes bringing the area out of the floodplain and creating an urban park that will bring residents and visitors together in a “liveable” community space. Her policy focus areas for the Council Member include parks and public space, land use, transportation, affordable housing, sustainability, and municipal utilities.
In addition to her work for Council Member Cole, Stephanie is a strategic communication consultant who works with both private and public sector clients in creating messages that spur action. A graduate of Austin College with a B.A. in English, she has also completed graduate coursework in communication at the University of Texas. Stephanie is a freelance food writer and is constantly planning her next meal.
JIM RAY is a principal of Ray Associates, Inc., providing governmental affairs services to public and nonprofit organizations. He serves as chair of the Advocacy Committee of Preservation Texas, the statewide organization advocating for historical preservation in Texas. From 1977 through 2005, Mr. Ray served by management contract as Executive Director of the Texas Association of Regional Councils, the association of Texas' 24 regional councils of governments representing over 2,000 Texas local governments. Prior to 1977, Mr. Ray served as the chief executive officer for Texas state agencies including the Texas Constitutional Revision Commission and Convention; the Texas Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations; and the Texas Urban Development Commission.
Jim Ray began his public career as a management assistant in the Office of the City Manager, Austin, Texas; became Director of the Governor’s Division of Planning for Texas Governor John Connally, and then assisted as Associate Director in the establishment of The University of Texas System Institute of Urban Studies at Arlington.
BEATRICE THOMAS is an exhibiting fiber artist and designer. Ms. Thomas received her bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College and a Masters of Fine Arts from The University of Texas, where she participated in the Land Arts of the American West program. She has worked in a variety of curatorial, educational and community arts related positions with the City of Austin, Austin Community College and Flatbed Press Gallery. Ms. Thomas participates regularly as an arts juror and panelist and speaker on a range of arts related topics, most currently arts, economics and the creative class. Her career in the visual arts includes chairing the Austin Art and Public Places Panel and serving as Program Manager of First Night Austin, an interdisciplinary, urban, arts festival for the City of Austin. She is dedicated to integrating exceptional art into meaningful public experience.
MEGHAN TURNER has served as a Coordinator with the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places program since 2004, managing artist commissions for the creation of public art for municipal sites and projects, and developing professional development workshops for artists in the field. While pursuing her graduate degree, she created the first collections database for the new public art program at Texas Tech University. Prior to her career in public art, she worked as an educational policy consultant for the Missouri School Boards Association and also completed coursework at DePaul University School of Law in Chicago. She has a B.A. in English and Political Science from Rockhurst University, and an M.A. in Museum Science from Texas Tech University.
NICOLE VLADO is an artist, designer, and arts administrator with expertise in public art and architecture. Vlado’s administrative experience began as Program Coordinator in the Office of the Arts at MIT. During this time, she worked closely with visiting artists Cai Quo-Qiang and Paul Pfeiffer, among others, and she led student arts programs including the Graduate Arts Forum, Arts Scholars Program, and Freshman Arts Student Advisory Seminar. Prior to her relocation to Austin, Vlado lived in her native New York City where she worked as a designer and project manager for the architectural design firm, Redtop Architects. Vlado currently oversees Landmarks project planning and installations, manages conservation and maintenance, and assists with program operations.
KATE WATSON is a freelance artist, critic and curator. Watson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Art History from Sarah Lawrence College in 2006 and gained administrative experience at several New York City arts institutions, including P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center and the Kitchen. She most recently served as Gallery Coordinator for testsite and Associate Editor for …might be good, two projects of Austin-based speculative non-profit Fluent~Collaborative. She is a founding member of local multimedia collective Austin Video Bee and is currently a writer for both Glasstire and the Austin Chronicle. She is very interested in collective art practices and the vibrant, “Do It Yourself” culture of Austin. She is currently working on several curatorial endeavors examining these topics.
CATHERINE WILLIAMS specializes in the conservation of three-dimensional objects. She has BA degrees in Art History and Chemistry, and an MA in Art Conservation from Buffalo State College. In 2005, she earned Professional Associate status in the American Institute for Conservation. Catherine has over 10 years of professional experience in conservation, including internships at the High Museum of Art Regional Conservation Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and 4 years working at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution. Since moving to Austin in 2004 and starting Silver Lining Art Conservation, Catherine has completed projects for the Blanton Museum of Art, Austin Museum of Art, The Menil Collection, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of the Pacific War, US Army Medical Museum at Ft. Sam Houston, Brooklyn Museum of Art, as well as many galleries and individuals. Catherine consults on and maintains outdoor sculpture collections for Austin Art in Public Places, Laguna Gloria, and for the UT Landmarks Project.
DAVID WYATT is the Business Director and a founding principal at Wyatt Brand, a boutique agency offering public relations, branding, and design services predominantly for cultural projects. With an easy-going, yet professional approach, Wyatt Brand has earned a reputation for specializing in cultural PR, branding for small businesses and non-profits, and publication design. The company serves clients such as Ballet Austin, Golden Hornet Project, Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, H-E-B, The SIMS Foundation, Texas Monthly Custom Publishing, and ZACH Theatre. Prior to starting Wyatt Brand, David had been the marketing/public relations director for the Austin Museum of Art and the PR director for the Austin Symphony Orchestra as well as a teacher at Dougherty Arts School.
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 Public Art Crawl – Artists at Work
(Read the Press Release)
Date: Saturday, July 25, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Tour leaves from Austin City Hall (301 W. 2nd St. Austin 78701)
Attendee Limit: 45
Price: Free!
Visit the studios and working spaces of public artists for a first hand look into the making of public art. Workshop participants will be shuttled to a series of locations to meet with artists working at various stages of the public art process. See artworks in progress and hear artists reveal the challenges and benefits of translating artistic concepts into artwork for public spaces. *Not recommended for children under 10.*
Presenting Artists:
Jill Bedgood (Northwest Recreation Center AIPP Project)
Hawkeye Glenn & Lizzie Martinez (Susanna Dickinson House AIPP Project)
Stephanie Strange (Twin Oaks Branch Library AIPP Project
James Talbot (South Congress Streetscape AIPP Project)
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Public Art Crawl: Artists at Work
In 2006, Stephanie Strange was commissioned, through a competitive review process, to create permanent public art to enhance the new Twin Oaks Library, sited at 1800 South Fifth Street, considered to be an integral part of the South Austin subculture where large-scale iconographic art abounds. The artist has designed a 900-pound, 15 ft. tall x 8 ft. wide, mobile to hang in the tower of the library’s entrance vestibule.
In June 2009, artist team Hawkeye Glenn and Lizzie Martinez, collectively known as Blacksmith Industries Inc., were commissioned by Art in Public Places, through a competitive selection process, to design and construct permanent public art that will function as a courtyard, connecting the Susanna Dickinson House to the neighboring O. Henry Museum within Brush Square Park, and reveal the sites’ historical context within early 19th century Texas. The Susanna Dickinson House, located at Fifth and Neches Streets in Brush Square, is named for Susanna Dickinson, one of the few survivors of the battle at the Alamo. The artists are currently in design phase.
In 2003, James Talbot was selected through a competitive review of qualifications to develop public art within the context of the City’s South Congress Avenue Streetscape Improvement project. Planned for the corridor between Barton Springs Road and Oltorf Street, the goal of the project was to make streetscape improvements to preserve and enhance the unique historic and cultural value of this corridor as well as the safety and comfort of all transportation modes – including pedestrians and bicycles. Public art was envisioned that would seamlessly incorporate into streetscape elements, interpret the corridor’s history and contribute to its unique sense of place. the Artist is currently in design phase.
In 2008, Jill Bedgood was commissioned, through a competitive process, to create an environment which provides transition from the exterior to the interior of the Northwest Recreation Center, located at 2913 Northland Dr; Austin, TX, in dialogue with the proposed architecture and facility’s programs. The exact scope and site for the artwork was determined through the vision and discussions of the artist with the design team. The prime artwork opportunity consists of creating a transitional area at the entrance to the facility.
Read more about the 2008 Workshop offerings
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