One of the city’s most ardent and influential patrons of the arts was
recognized by the UT College of Fine Arts earlier this month. Alfred A. King,
who has served as chair for the boards of Austin Lyric Opera and Laguna Gloria
Art Museum (now Austin Museum of Art), and for UT’s Fine Arts Advisory Council,
has made contributions to the Huntington Art Gallery, and has worked with
numerous local arts institutions, was presented with the William E. Doty Award
for service to the arts and education of UT students. The award is named for
the educator who founded the College of Fine Arts at UT and provided its
leadership for a third of a century. King is only the third recipient of the
award, following novelist and art collector James Michener and educator Bryce
Jordan. During the school’s mid-year commencement ceremony on December 7,
College of Fine Arts Interim Dean David Deming presented King with the award, a
medallion which Deming himself created. The dean referred to King as “Mr. Arts”
and noted that his “friendship and leadership have been truly pivotal for the
College of Fine Arts in so many ways.” The same sentiment applies when talking
about the community of fine arts in Austin. It’s safe to say that the arts in
our city would be much different — specifically, much poorer — were it not
for Alfred A King. Our congratulations to this tireless cultural advocate.
More Artists Can Get Aid
As of December 1, many of Austin’s artists and arts organizations are noweligible for pro bono legal and accounting assistance. That’s because last
month the board of directors for Artists’ Legal & Accounting Assistance of
Austin, which has been providing that kind of help to area artists of all
shapes, sizes, and disciplines since 1979, voted to raise the eligiblity cap
for its services. The cap for individuals has been increased from $18,000 to
$22,000, and for families, from $25,000 to $30,000. The new cap for nonprofit
arts organizations is $75,000. If you’re in need of their aid and expertise, or
if you simply want more info on ALAA, call 476-4458.
Off the Desk
Good Eats invites you to submit your art for display in their restaurants.Beginning in January, 1997, each of the three Good Eats locations will display
a series of two-month exhibits of work by local artists. The restaurant does
not take a commission for sales of work displayed. To set up an appointment,
call Hugh Craig at 442-1913.
The First New York International Fringe Festival is seeking participants for
11 days of multi-disciplinary, multicultural theatre next August. More than 100
companies and performing artists will be featured in 15-20 downtown venues. For
an application, call 212/307-0029 or write: 445 W. 45th St., 4th floor, New
York, NY 10036. Applications must be returned by February 15, 1997.
Send literary, performing, and visual arts news to: “Articulations,”
PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765 or onstage@auschron.com
This article appears in December 20 • 1996 and December 20 • 1996 (Cover).