Public Arts Symposium Features Manhattan Redevelopment Project

from AustinNotes

Award-winning “aerial greenway” urban redevelopment project in New York City

What: “Blurring the Lines: Public Art Re-Examined” Full-day Symposium for learning, connecting
When: 9 am – 3 pm, Saturday September 11, 2010
Where: Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. 3rd Street; Austin, TX 78701 (free parking available at State Garage “N” immediately to the north of Ballet Austin)

Symposium will feature keynote speakers from the High Line, award-winning urban redevelopment project built on a section of a former elevated freight railroad spur in New York City. Also featured will be local public artists and community creative voices.

The City of Austin’s Art in Public Places Program is proud to welcome Robert Hammond, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the High Line, and Lauren Ross, the Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Curator & Director of Arts Programs, to Austin as keynote speakers for “Blurring the Lines: Public Art Re-Examined,” an exploration of public art, creative partnerships, civic engagement and more.

About the High Line: The High Line railway was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan's streets. Now re-imaginied as a city park the elevated space has been redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway. When complete, the High Line will be a mile-and-a-half-long elevated park, running through the West Side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell's Kitchen. This pedestrian-only space boasts an integrated landscape, fixed and movable seating, lighting, public programming spaces, and temporary public art. The project has garnered several prestigious awards and in less than a year of operation, has attracted over 2 million visitors.

The Symposium will feature:
· Keynote address by High Line Co-Founder and Public Art Curator
· Pecha Kucha(fast paced, six-minute blasts of narrated visuals) by local creatives
· Interactive panel discussion with experienced public artists and administrators
· Networking opportunities and access to industry experts
· Roundtable lunch (provided)
· Take-home materials such as the “Public Art Resource Guide”

Registration: Visit www.cityofaustin.org/nextlevel

Cost: $15 and includes choice of gourmet boxed lunch from Central Market.

The City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division offers the Take it to the Next Level professional development workshops to enhance the management capacity of nonprofit creative organizations and to grow jobs, wealth, and the economic impact of the creative economy. The 2010 Next Level series is supported in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Cultural Arts Division provides leadership and management for the City’s cultural arts programs and for the development of arts and cultural industries. The Cultural Arts Division is responsible for the Cultural Arts Funding Programs, Art in Public Places Program, community-based arts development, and programs to assist the development of music, film, and creative industries in Austin. For more information, visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/redevelopment/cad.htm.

Contact: Meghan Turner, (512) 974-9314