March 6, 2010 SVA Theatre

1. march 6
2010
conference guide
and schedule
made possible by:
major media sponsor:

2. 1
welcome
Welcome to NYC: State Of The Art, an unprecedented conference taking an interdisciplinary,
collaborative approach to addressing the challenges facing visual artists in New York City.
Your participation will help ensure the future of New York City as a global art capital where
artists can live, work, show, and sell. Ask questions. Propose solutions. pARTicipate! Together,
we can enhance New York city’s visual arts culture. Enjoy the conference!
James & Jennifer Wallace, co-founders, NYC: State Of The Art
schedule
9:00 am Opening Remarks / Keynote
10:00 am Morning Featured Panel
Background, Issues, & Challenges
11:30 am Solution Session A: What more can be done
to enable artists to live & work in NYC?
12:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30 pm Solution Session B: How can resources for
artists be more clearly & easily accessible?
2:30 pm Solution Session C: What art industry in-
centives can be offered to NYC artists?
3:30 pm Solution Session D: What more can be
done to facilitate NYC artists selling art?
4:30 pm Afternoon Featured Panel
Solutions & the Future of NY Art
5:30 pm Next Steps
6:30 pm Concluding Cocktail Mixer
The Gates, 290 Eighth Avenue at 25th Street
Keynote Speaker
Jimmy Van Bramer
New York City Council Member, District 26
Chair, Cultural Committee
A life-long resident of western Queens, Jimmy Van Bramer was elected to the New
York City Council on November 3, 2009, representing District 26. Council Member
Van Bramer chairs the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International In-
tergroup Relations. From 1999 to 2009, he served as the Chief External Affairs Officer of the Queens Public
Library. Jimmy currently lives in Sunnyside Gardens with Dan Hendrick, his partner of eleven years.

3. 2
Featured Panel: Background, Issues, & Challenges
Jeremy Adams
Executive Director, CUE Art Foundation
Adams started with CUE in January 2003, prior to its public opening. Previously, he was the VP &
Director of Operations of Art4love, a company that leased the work of emerging artists to companies.
At Pamela Auchincloss Arts Management Services, he organized traveling exhibitions throughout
the US. He also managed the Pamela Auchincloss Gallery, a New York City contemporary art exhibition space. Adams
received a BA with honors from Winchester School of Art and a MFA in painting from the Pratt Institute.
Theodore S. Berger
Trustee, Joan Mitchell Foundation
Berger “retired” in December 2005, after over 30 years as the executive director of the New York
Foundation for the Arts, one of America’s largest arts-oriented grant makers and service providers.
He serves on numerous boards, and now works as the project director for the Urban Artist Initiative/NYC, a new initia-
tive committed to grants for the city’s artists of color; and as the executive director for New York Creates, an initiative
to create more opportunities for New York’s craft artists and artisans. A former assistant dean for the Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University, he writes and speaks extensively on the arts, artists, and cultural policy.
Norma Munn
Chair, New York Arts Coalition
An award-winning arts leader, Munn has advocated for artists and the cultural community for over
three decades, and is the chair of the New York City Arts Coalition, a citywide arts advocacy group
she co-founded 24 years ago. She also founded, and serves on the board of, the Artists Community
Federal Credit Union, which merged with the Education Affiliates FCU and continues to serve artists and arts groups.
Munn studied engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and philosophy at the University of Florida.
Gavin Sewell
Artist
Born in Waterville, Maine in 1980, Sewell has made his living as an artist for over six years. After
starting to sell work in Chicago (at first door-to-door out of a shopping cart), he moved back to New
York in 2001, studying at the Art Students League for two years, on and off. Losses in vision due to
a lifelong battle with glaucoma compelled him into the mixed media work he does today. Sewell lives and works in
Bushwick.
James Wallace, moderator
Co-founder, NYC State Of The Art See profile, back cover.
Major media sponsor: Made possible in part by:
New York’s finest emerging artists
n a s c e n t a r t n y. c o m

4. 3
Solution Session A:
What more can be done to enable artists to live & work in NYC?
David Businelli, R.A., AIA Savona Bailey-McClain
President-elect Executive Director
American Institute of West Harlem Art Fund
Architects (NY State)
Bailey-McClain is a New York-based curator
Businelli is founder of Studio 16 Architecture located and arts advocate. McClain founded the non-profit West
in Staten Island. He has been in private practice since Harlem Art Fund eleven years ago as a public art organi-
1996. His work has been published internationally, zation serving neighborhoods throughout the city. As its
and he has received numerous awards, including rec- executive director, she has bolstered Harlem’s infrastruc-
ognition from the AIA and the Chamber of Commerce ture to enhance tourism as well as improve its open, public
of the Province of Pordenone, Italy. Businelli is a past spaces, highlighting the arts’ financial and social benefits
president of AIA Staten Island and the co-founder of to local communities. An innovator, she developed the Hal-
the AIA Staten Island Design Awards. lelujah Public Art Fest and Harlem’s first cell phone art tour,
and will next present live, public installations and tours.
Jason Bowman
Director, Fountain Gallery
Moderator
As director of the Fountain Gallery since 2003, Bowman has advanced its mission of providing a sup-
portive environment for artists living and working with mental illness. With Bowman, the Fountain
Gallery has expanded to represent over 40 artists, becoming the city’s premier venue of its kind. He has produced over
30 exhibitions, working with the MoMA, the Whitney Museum of American Art, American Folk Art Museum, Citigroup,
and Estée Lauder. Bowman is completing a master’s program in public policy at Columbia University.
Zannah Mass Manon Slome, PhD
Cultural Affairs Director Founder & Curator
Two Trees No Longer Empty
At Two Trees, the real estate devel-
opment firm widely credited with
facilitating the rise of Dumbo’s visual arts scene, An independent New York City curator, Slome served as the
Mass manages Two Trees’ philanthropy, liaises with chief curator of the Chelsea Art Museum, where she over-
grantees, and leads numerous cultural initiatives. Her saw a program of some forty exhibitions, symposia, and
efforts have produced a monthly gallery walk, pub- publications. Slome has closely followed and researched
lic art and festivals, marketing of Dumbo’s cultural the Israeli art scene since her involvement in a 2005 CAM
events, new fine art galleries in Dumbo, and a formal exhibition, Such Stuff as Dreams are Made on. Prior to CAM,
photo district. Mass has 15 years of experience with Slome worked as a curator at the Guggenheim Museum and
non-profits, focusing on benefactor activity for the a fellow at the Whitney. She has published widely on art
last several years. Mass also led The PlayGround The- and recently completed her book, The Aesthetics of Terror.
atre in Miami as its executive director. She received
her public administration master’s degree from NYU.
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5. 4
Solution Session B:
How can resources for artists be more clearly & easily accessible?
Liz Dimmitt Peter Drake
Curator Dean
Gawker Arts New York Academy of Art
A culture enthusiast and finance geek, Located in Tribeca, the NYAA is a fully
Dimmitt advocates for mutually beneficial relationships accredited, graduate fine arts program focusing on pro-
between the arts and business. Curator of Gawker Art- gressive figurative art. Before becoming NYAA Dean this
ists since 2006, she has worked with many city groups year, Drake taught at Parsons The New School for Design
from 3rd Ward and Clementine Gallery, to the JP Morgan for 20 years, where he started the Professional Practices
Chase Bank Art Program. She is also a cofounder of Gum- program with support from the Emily Hall Tremaine
shoe, a company that produces events catering to art Foundation. A working artist who has shown consis-
enthusiasts and emerging collectors. A native Floridian, tently for 30 years, his works are held in many private
she holds a finance BA from Georgetown and a visual and public collections. He was also an artist/curator at
arts administration master’s degree from NYU. the Drawing Center, and wrote for FlashArt.
Colleen Asper
Co-founder, Ad Hoc Vox
Moderator
Asper is the co-founder of Ad Hoc Vox, a roving series of art-related events. Non-profits and museums
across NY and LA have hosted Ad Hoc Vox with panelists like critic Robert Storr and poet and cultural
critic Wayne Koestenbaum. Also an artist and writer, Asper shows work globally and has been reviewed by The New York
Times and The New Yorker. Asper regularly contributes to publications like Art in America, The Brooklyn Rail, and Artcriti-
cal. She has exhibitions upcoming in India and APF Lab here in the city.
Janet Hicks Heng-Gil Han
Director of Permissions Chief Curator
Artists Rights Society Jamaica Center
for Arts & Learning
Hicks joined Artists Rights Society in
1998, and became the general manager
and director of permissions in 2002. A private company, Han has overseen and curated numerous exhibitions ex-
ARS represents the intellectual property rights and es- ploring issues of identity, gender, and cultural politics.
tates of over 50,000 visual artists around the world and He has delivered numerous scholarly arts papers, both
actively lobbies for stronger and more effective artists’ locally and internationally. He is also the project founder
rights laws. Hicks has spoken on copyright at numer- and director of “Jamaica Flux: Workspaces and Windows,”
ous events, including panels at AIGA (the professional a large-scale, perennial, site-specific public art exhibi-
association for design) and the International Sculpture tion examining various paradigms of contemporary art
Center Conference. She received her master’s degree in practices. (Photo: Courtesy of Jose Ruiz)
art history from the University of Oregon.
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marketing partners:

6. 5
Solution Session C:
What art industry incentives can be offered to help NYC artists?
Liz Koch Sharon Louden
Arts & Cultural Specialist Artist
Office of the
Brooklyn Borough President
Koch, the arts and culture specialist to Brooklyn Bor- Louden, a professional New York City artist,
ough President Marty Markowitz, helps guide arts has taught at numerous universities and professional ven-
policy decisions for Brooklyn. She also represents the ues for 20 years. Having taught numerous studio classes,
borough president on numerous boards including the she currently teaches the Theory, Practice, and Career
Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Weeksville Society, and course at Parsons. Active on three boards, she mentors
the recently established Brooklyn Ballet. She provides artists nationwide. Louden graduated with a BFA from the
guidance to arts organizations, connects groups with School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a MFA from Yale.
shared concerns, and advocates for increased fund- The Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Gallery
ing, support, and recognition for the arts in Brooklyn. of Art, and others hold Louden’s work, which has also been
She is the co-organizer of the Brooklyn Book Festival. featured in The New York Times and Art in America.
James Wallace, moderator See profile, back cover.
Co-founder, NYC State Of The Art
Keats Myer Marisa Sage
Executive Director President
Children’s Museum of the Arts Williamsburg Gallery Association
Keats joined the CMA in 2004, and Sage is a gallery owner, curator, educa-
has worked for a broad range of non-profit institu- tor, and general arts advocate. As president of the WGA,
tions. Keats joined the Armory Foundation where she she leads initiatives for member galleries in the vibrant
raised funds and oversaw the design and construction arts community of Williamsburg. As founding owner and
of The National Track & Field Hall of Fame Museum. director of Like the Spice Gallery in Williamsburg, she of-
Keats received her master’s degree in public admin- fers artwork that carries both meaning and beauty. She re-
istration from NYU, and her BS in economics from ceived her master’s degree in digital arts from the Maryland
the University of New Hampshire. Keats is the proud Institute College of Art in Baltimore. A professor and artist,
mother of three. Sage has taught at Goucher College, Corcoran College of
Art+Design, and The Art Institute of Washington.
Today’s honorary guests:
Department of Cultural Affairs Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Office of New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
Made possible in part by: Media sponsors:
The Standard Hotel

7. 6
Solution Session D:
What more can be done to facilitate NYC artists selling art?
Heather Hubbs Dianne Smith
Director Artist
New Art Dealers Alliance
A Bronx native of Belizean descent,
Hubbs has led NADA, a member-based, Smith’s artwork has been exhibited with
non-profit arts organization, since 2004. During her noted artists Frank Bowling, Chakai Booker, and Howar-
tenure, she has successfully produced the NADA Art dena Pindell. In 1995, she presented artwork to Dr. Maya
Fair Miami, and re-conceptualized the 2009 edition. Angelou and George Faison, and Smith’s works are in
As Associate Director of Art Chicago from 2000-04, she the private collections of notables including Danny Sim-
instituted the International Invitational and The Stray mons, Cicely Tyson, Terry McMillan, Rev. Calvin O. Butts,
Show, creating opportunities for emerging galleries and III, and Vivica A. Fox. She attended the High School of
the artists they represent. New York magazine recently Music and Art, Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of De-
noted Hubbs and NADA as among the top 100 “Influen- sign (now the Otis College of Art and Design) in LA, and
tials” in the city. the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Peter Drake, moderator See profile Jason Bowman See profile
Dean, New York Academy of Art page 4. Director, Fountain Gallery page 3.
Cary Leibowitz Art + Auction, Art on Paper, T: The New York Times Style
Director of Magazine, and many others. He speaks regularly about
Contemporary Editions collecting and contemporary editions for museums and
Phillips de Pury galleries. Alexander Gray Gallery represents his artwork
here in New York. He is younger than Madonna.
Before Phillips de Pury, Leibowitz served as a VP of
Christie’s print department. An expert in contemporary “Art is long, life short, judgment
printmaking, he now focuses his efforts on Pop Art and
contemporary works. A passionate collector, Leibowitz‘s
difficult, and opportunity
collection, creations, and expertise have been cited in transient.” • Goethe
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Special thanks:

8. Afternoon Featured Panel: Solutions And The Future of NYC Art
Susan Ball Jonathan Bowles
Director of Programs Director
New York Foundation Center for an Urban Future
for the Arts
Bowles became director of CUF in 2005
After serving on the board of NYFA after serving as its research director for
for 13 years, Ball joined the staff as interim director of seven years. During his tenure, he has written extensive-
programs in 2009. The former executive director of the ly about New York City’s key economic trends, the value
College Art Association, she led the 14,000-member of small businesses to cities, and the economic chal-
group for 20 years. She oversaw the CAA’s Professional lenges facing every day people. His research has been
Development Fellowship Program and Job Placement covered by The Economist, The Washington Post, and
Bureau. She also led production of the history of the others. Prior to CUF, he worked as research director for
CAA as director of its Centennial Book Project. Rutgers a New York State senator and spent time as a freelance
University Press will publish the book in 2010. journalist. He lives in Queens with his wife and son.
Wesley Miller Will Maitland Weiss
Curator Executive Director
Art21 Art & Business Council
of New York
Since 1999, Miller has had a guiding
hand in Art21’s Peabody Award-win- Weiss joined the ABC of NY from the
ning television series, “Art in the Twenty-First Century,” Center for Creative Resources, a non-profit that provides
as well as the online video series. He holds a BA in phi- management, marketing, and development services for
losophy and art from Sarah Lawrence College, a MFA in arts organizations, where he continues to serve on the
sculpture from Yale University, and attended the Skow- board. He served for five years as vice president of devel-
hegan School of Painting and the Sculpture and the Pil- opment and communications for the New York City Cen-
chuck Glass School. Before joining Art21, Miller worked ter. Prior to that, he spent 10 years in fundraising at the
at the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston and with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. After receiving
a private gallery. Miller has widely served as a guest lec- his MFA from Brandeis University, Weiss spent several
turer, critic, and panelist at the MoMA, The Art Institute years in theater production. He has lectured extensively
of Chicago, Yale, Brooklyn Museum of Art, and others. on arts administration.
James & Jen Wallace Golden Gate University. While garnering an array of indi-
Co-founders vidual and corporate clients for nAscent Art, James and Jen
NYC:State Of The Art
learned some of the issues facing artists, and NYC:SOTA was
Jen is a curator, art director, and busi-
born. NYC:SOTA is a not-for-profit conference and spon-
ness owner. As co-founder of nAscent
sored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service
Art New York, she helps artists with
organization that assists emerging artists and non-profits.
sales and licensing, advises companies and individuals
on acquisition, and helps charities raise funds. She has
produced dozens of exhibitions and events viewed by A final note:
Thank you for being a part of NYC:SOTA. Thanks to the artists,
over 100,000 New Yorkers, serving as guest curator at
panelists, volunteers, and venue staff, who all devoted their
venues as varied as the Fountain Gallery and the Chelsea time and expertise. Special thanks go to Justinne, Kelly, Diane,
Market. She attend NYC College of Technology and the Nikoll, Shaeffer, Alfonso, Melvin, Glenn, Marisa, Natalie, Anne,
Pratt Institute. James is a published author and former Sara, and Sarah. Thanks also to the partner groups, to those
Air Force pilot who took his BS (literally) at the US Air who sponsored artist tickets, and to our supportive friends and
Force Academy, his JD at Georgetown, and his MBA at family, without whom dreams would remain unrealized.
James & Jen