• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    The Arthropologist

    The aging process: As Houston arts organizations grow older, they, too, questiontheir purpose in life

    Nancy Wozny
    Aug 26, 2012 | 9:00 am
    • Director Kelly Ann Vitacca has launched Vitacca Productions & Company, anambitious plan, including impressive guest artists, choreographic fellowships,community outreach performances and open master classes.
      Photo by Eric Hester
    • At 17, Houston Chamber Choir is the oldest professional choir in Houston.Artistic director Robert Simpson leads the group.
      Photo by Jeff Grass
    • Executive director Rich Levy marvels at Inprint's impact on the Houston writingcommunity. The organization recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
      Photo by Felix Sanchez
    • UH Cynthia Wood Mitchell Center plans to celebrates two anniversaries. Here is ascene from the Heart Chamber Orchestra, collaboration with the Aurora PictureShow.
      Photo by Antti Ahonen
    • Da Camera celebrates its 25th anniversary with a shiny new composition by PierreJalbert next month.
      Photo by David A. Brown
    • Don't let the age of Frame Dance Productions fool you. Founder Lydia Hance hasmade her mark in two years. Here, Brit Wallis, Jacquelyne Boe, Ashley Horn,Kristen Frankiewicz and Alex Soares perform Context.
      Photo by Bruce Aleksander
    • Classical Theatre Company is nearly five but is very precocious. Here's a scenefrom the inaugural production from fall of 2008: Shylock, the Jew of Veniceadapted from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
      Photo by Natalie Johnston

    "We are turning 35, it's time that we look at what we are up to," says Mary Lampe, director of SWAMP, while sitting across from me at lunch at the Houston Arts Resource Fair. Lampe has brought in a strategic planner to help plot out their future. They are also having a big ol' House Party to celebrate on Wednesday.

    In my thirties, I cranked out a couple of kids. It's a meaningful time of life for people and organizations, a crossroads when your youth is beginning to fade and maturity can yield solid progress. By 30, organizations develop root systems beyond their founders.

    Whether it's a milestone or year two, arts organizations are accessing where they are in their life cycles, just like people. Age asks us to question our purpose. At 25, you throw a party, at 38, you think, OMG, I'm almost 40.

    Whether it's a milestone or year two, arts organizations are accessing where they are in their life cycles, just like people. Age asks us to question our purpose.

    If only my imaginary team of interns would quit messing around and get some work done around here, I could tell you the oldest and the youngest arts organizations in Houston. So instead, I went to my favorite arts wonks (Jerome Vielman and Richard Graber) over at Houston Arts Alliance for the real facts.

    Did you know that the Art League turns 65 next year? The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston goes back to 1900, the Houston Symphony to 1913, an outfit called Houston Choral Showcase was founded in 1932, Society of Performing Arts in 1966. And those wonderful singers at Houston Tidelanders are still adorable at 65.

    Thirtysomething-ish

    Da Camera Houston is looking fine at 25, with a shiny new composition by Pierre Jalbert for their opening 25th Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 28. It's always a little weird when an edgy group like DiverseWorks gets older, a bit like an aging rock star. How do you keep your sass over 30? Maybe you get a new director (Elizabeth Dunbar) and move to new digs (4102 Fannin St.).

    "Turning 30 never felt so good," quips Dunbar. "We're older, wiser, more professional--but we're still hip, cool, and kicking ass."

    It's always a little weird when an edgy group like DiverseWorks gets older, a bit like an aging rock star. How do you keep your sass over 30?

    Executive Director Rich Levy reflects on Inprint's 30th anniversary. "We are in a state of astonishment. To be honest, when I took this job 17 years ago, it was difficult to believe that the making and consumption of literature were compelling facts on the Houston cultural landscape—even with a great Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston (UH CWP), " says Levy.

    "I don’t think the brave, visionary souls who launched Inprint ever imagined that the organization would grow as it has and would occupy as meaningful a cultural space in the city as it does. We’re grateful that Houston supports the written word like few cities in the country. I hope Inprint will still be at it 30 years from now."

    The Teens/Tweens

    You can still be a teen, but be senior in your field, like Houston Chamber Choir, who, at 17, is the oldest professional choir in Houston.

    "We are still glowing after a successful tour to the Northeast, with performances in New York City and at Yale University last April," says executive director Becky Tobin. "In just a few short weeks, we are releasing our newest commercial recording – the world premiere recording of Giovanni Paolo Colonna’s Psalmi ad Vesperas (1694). As we grow, we aim to continue presenting a diverse mix of choral repertoire showcasing our talented core of singers while bringing in world renowned conductors and artists."

    Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company is entering its tween years, and as you suspected, they are rough. "We are turning 11 and I still have never been paid," says Jennifer Decker, founder and artistic director. "I make sure everyone else gets something. I'm thinking that I sacrificed the last years of my youth, and my acting career, to keep alive a theatre company that I believe in. But at this point, we are just starting to get somewhere, so I'll keep on it."

    Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company is entering its tween years, and as you suspected, they are rough. "We are turning 11 and I still have never been paid," says Jennifer Decker, founder and artistic director.

    Sometimes, the age of an organization is murky; it depends when you start counting. Such is the case with University of Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.

    "The gift from the Mitchell family was pledged in 2003. We began programming in 2005," says Karen Farber, director.

    "So it depends on what we are celebrating, but in essence we will have our 10 year anniversary in 2013. In honor of that, we will probably do a big artist project. But in 2015, we will probably do a publication to celebrate 10 years of programming. Two anniversaries are better than one. It's kind of like celebrating anniversaries for your first date and for your wedding."

    Just Kids

    At eight, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) is still fairly young, but in a stage of rapid growth. I would have guessed ROCO to be older, as they have covered so much ground in a short time.

    "We compiled a fact sheet at the end of our seventh season that surprised even us. ROCO has performed over 800 pieces of music in over 200 concerts, commissioned/premiered 29 pieces, regularly reaches a nationwide audience of 1.2 million (via Performance Today), and achieved a national reputation as a first rank orchestra, " says Teri Golas, executive director.

    "Reflecting on these seven years helped us see that ROCO is carving a niche in commissioning/performing new music and in bringing together world-class musicians and guest artists to Houston from all over the world. We're excited about the future, and looking forward to celebrating our 10th with a bang in a couple of years."

    Classical Theatre Company is turning five, but to me they feel more like 15, because founder John Johnson is one serious theater chap.

    Classical Theatre Company is turning five, but to me they feel more like 15, because founder John Johnson is one serious theater chap. CTC celebrates with a season kick off on Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Alliance Gallery at Houston Arts Alliance. They have grown and put down roots at Studio 101 and boast a season that includes Miss Julie, Ubu Roi and Shylock the Jew of Venice, the very play that launched the enterprise.

    "Five means to me that we've been able to get traction in the local community," says Johnson. "Whether its with funders, artists, or audiences, we've achieved at least a bit of continuity. We're still pretty young, but we've got a foothold. If we can continue to grow at the pace we have been over the past few years, I'd say year ten might feel more like reaching maturity. But who knows, I'm 35, and I still feel pretty immature."

    Don't let the age of Frame Dance Productions fool you. Founder Lydia Hance has made her mark in two years.

    "It's feels like a whirlwind, we're in rehearsal for our eighth work. We're dizzy and excited," says Hance. "This year, I'm working on creating a healthy and stable organizational structure-- strengthening our artistic voice, and putting in a business plan to stabilize the organization. I'm doing this through mentorship, education and conferences, as well as my Dance/USA Institute of Leadership Training, and learning how to be a business woman."

    Active Infants

    Youngsters are all about energy and big plans. The new, multifaceted dance organization Vitacca Productions & Company, just out of the gate at 23 weeks, launched at a party Saturday night at Katsuya. Director Kelly Ann Vitacca has an ambitious plan, including impressive guest artists, choreographic fellowships, community outreach performances and open master classes.

    "We do not have 'stars in our eyes,' rather, we are aware that a new business, especially a nonprofit, will bring many hurdles and challenges," says Vitacca. "It’s a thrilling time, and with our strategic plans in place, we have our seat belts on and are ready for the ride."

    Champion swing dancer and Dance Houston founder Andrea Cody has started The American Social Dance Association. It's so young it that doesn't yet have a web site. "Starting a brand new organization is truly invigorating," says Cody. "After focusing all my attention on Dance Houston for nearly 10 years, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have something new to work on. This time around, I feel like I know how big the mountain in front of me is. I also know how far I'll go." .

    I wish every arts organization a happy season at every age. Courage to youngsters and oldsters both. This is the arts; you will need it.

    Sneak peek of the two-year old Frame Dance Productions newest work, The Black Space, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Sept. 2 at Fresh Arts.

    The Black Space from Frame Dance Productions on Vimeo.

    unspecifiedseries568664047
    news/arts
    series/state-of-the-arts-2012

    most read posts

    Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

    Houstonians will get the royal treatment at this lively new steakhouse

    4 fresh new restaurants now open in suburban Houston

    Start Me Up

    Immersive Houston art venue rocks out with new Rolling Stone experience

    Holly Beretto
    May 15, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    ​“Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, The Immersive Rock Experience!”
    Photo courtesy of Artechouse
    “Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, The Immersive Rock Experience!” opens at Artechouse in May.

    A new art exhibit puts viewers into the heart of rock and roll. Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, The Immersive Rock Experience opens this Thursday, May 15 at Artechouse, the immersive art venue that opened last year in the Heights. With its 270-degree, floor-to-ceiling digital canvases in 18K-resolution and state-of-the-art surround sound, viewers will feel they’ve stepped into some of music’s most iconic moments.

    Narrated by Kevin Bacon, Amplified includes 1,000 photographs, 200 videos, 1,300 Rolling Stone covers, and features more than 300 artists whose music changed the world. Using sight, sound, and motion, this dynamic exhibit makes music history approachable and immediate for viewers. Here's a sneak peek:


    View this post on Instagram
    A post shared by Noel Y. Calingasan • NYC (@nyclovesnyc)


    Houstonians know our city has its own deep connections to genre-shaking music history. From The Beatles at the Sam Houston Coliseum, to Elvis at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Bob Dylan’s “Night of the Hurricane” in 1976, and being the hometown of Beyoncé, Bun B, ZZ Top, Megan Thee Stallion, and many more, Houston has cultivated and welcomed artists with choruses of boisterous cheers and applause.

    "Given Houston’s deep connection to the evolution of rock and pop music over the decades, we were thrilled to partner with Rolling Stone to bring Amplified to Houstonians and continue the city’s tradition of supporting and celebrating musical acts from around the world," says Sandro Kereselidze, co-founder of Artechouse. "This exhibit aligns perfectly with our mission to connect the public with cultural and artistic storytelling through cutting-edge technology. We’re excited for guests of all ages to experience the history of rock ‘n’ roll like never before."

    The show was originally produced by Illuminarium Experiences and created by Brand New World Studios in partnership with Rolling Stone. Viewers who attend the Artechouse experience can keep their immersive experience going at the venue’s Reality (XR) Bar, serving cocktails and mocktails that dovetail with the exhibit. Blending cutting-edge XR technology with craft mixology, drinks come to life through exclusive XR activations, which are accessible via Artechouse’s XR mobile app. Guests can downtown the app from the App Store or Google Play.

    “Music imagery is about experiences,” said Jodi Peckman, executive producer and former creative director of Rolling Stone. “It’s about the unbridled joy of concerts and our connection to our favorite artists. Every picture tells a story and Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED has hundreds of stories to tell.”

    Timed tickets are available online and at the venue, and advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. Admission starts at $39 plus fees for adults and $29 plus fees for children, ages 17 and under. Tickets are currently available through August 31.

    art exhibitvisual-artartechouseopenings
    news/arts
    series/state-of-the-arts-2012
    Loading...