Articulations
The city wants you as a Cultural Contracts Program peer review panelist, Michelle Schumann competes in Canada, and Uncle Cuddles gets a gig
By Robert Faires, Fri., Feb. 13, 2004
Cultural Contracts Seek the Proud, the Few
With Vincent Kitch working overtime in the city's Cultural Arts Division offices, the revamped cultural contract program is ramping up again, which means the city is looking for arts professionals to serve as peer review panelists. These folks will read contract applications and score each one based on pre-established criteria. In order for each panel to include broad representation of every discipline and background (e.g., organization size, gender, ethnicity, disability), panelists of all kinds are needed.
However, to qualify as a panelist, you need to: be a recognized expert in an arts discipline or field; show you appreciate the cultural, ethnic, aesthetic, and artistic diversity in Austin and the state; possess a history of involvement in the arts as an artist, arts manager, or educator; and be dedicated to the highest professional standards in your artistic discipline.
Panel nominations are being sought from Austin, Central Texas, the rest of the state, and other states. Any arts organization or individual may submit a nomination, and, yes, you may nominate yourself. Nominations should include a completed nomination form – available online at www.ci.austin.tx.us/redevelopment/panels.htm – and the nominee's résumé. For more information, e-mail vincent.kitch@ci.austin.tx.us.
O Schumann!
Congratulations to Michelle Schumann, pianist for Barbwire Music Project and artist in residence at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, on being one of only eight pianists selected to compete in the live rounds of the 27th annual Eckhardt-Gramatté competition in Canada. The 30-year-old competition, better known by its nickname the E-Gré, highlights the performance of contemporary Canadian music and is aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on its The Arts Tonight program. Schumann, a native Canadian, stands to win cash awards and a tour across Canada. She'll warm up for the April 30-May 2 competition this weekend by performing with the Meridian Arts Ensemble Saturday, Feb. 14, 3pm, at the International Festival-Institute at Round Top. For more information, visit www.barbwire.org or www.festivalhill.org.
Cuddles Up to the Bar
That beloved Teutonic buffoon, Uncle Cuddles, is back with, believe it or not, a regular gig! Somehow this psychopathic clown has convinced the fine folks at the Jackalope Bar, 406 E. Sixth, to let him run the Uncle Cuddles Festival of Fun Game Show every other Tuesday. Comedy, trivia games, contestant-style game-show games, special guests, music, and some of your favorite clowns and performers, including Bruto the redneck bully clown and the inimitable Ratgirl, are promised. The next show is Feb. 17 at 9pm, and Uncle Cuddles may even let you perform if you e-mail him at staybump@austin.rr.com.
