� Blurring the Lines: Public Art Re-Examined explores public art, creative partnerships, and civic engagement in a symposium sponsored by the city’s Art in Public Places Program. Robert Hammond, president and co-founder of Friends of the High Line, a New York City urban redevelopment project, and Lauren Ross, curator and director of arts programs at Friends of the High Line, will deliver the keynote address, to be followed by pecha kucha presentations by local creatives, a panel discussion with public artists and administrators, and a roundtable lunch. The symposium – part of the Cultural Arts Division’s Take It to the Next Level series of professional development programs for creatives – will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, 9am-3pm, at Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. Third. Cost is $15. To register, visit www.cityofaustin.org/nextlevel.
� Hanger Orthopedic Group, which just shifted its corporate headquarters from Bethesda, Md., to Austin, is hosting a competition that will be worth $10,000 to one visual artist in its new hometown. Artists 18 years or older who reside in Travis, Caldwell, Hays, Bastrop, and Williamson counties are asked to create artwork on the theme of Moving Lives Forward, in line with Hanger’s mission of providing services and products that enhance physical capability. Artists may represent the theme however they choose, in a single artwork or a series, and in any medium except video or one requiring electricity. Entries, including a description limited to 500 words, a photo of one completed original work of art, and the artist’s résumé, should be submitted to info@artroduction.com or mailed in: ARTroduction Submission; Hahn, Texas Communications; 1105 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78703. Deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, Oct. 19. A jury of area art professionals and Hanger representatives will choose up to 10 finalists, each of whom will receive $500. The winning artist will be awarded a $10,000 commission and have his or her created work displayed in the gallery at Hanger’s headquarters at the Domain for approximately two years. The work will then be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit. For more information, visit www.artroduction.com.
This article appears in September 10 • 2010.