HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT
ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR
Perry Price Joins HCCC on February 29, 2016
(HOUSTON, TX) January 13, 2016 — Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is pleased to announce that Perry Price will be the art center’s new executive director, beginning February 29th. In late February, Price will leave his position as director of education at the American Craft Council (ACC) in Minneapolis, MN, where he developed, managed and implemented all aspects of local and national outreach and programming for nearly four years. He brings to HCCC a wealth of experience in arts administration, including project and fiscal management, fundraising, scholarship, programs and exhibitions, as well as a passion for developing and fostering national relationships in the world of contemporary craft.
During his tenure at ACC, Price grew the organization’s awards program, establishing the Emerging Voices Award and expanding the School to Market initiative to all ACC shows. He also redefined the council’s speaker series, symposia, and conference platforms and wrote a number of articles for American Craft magazine. Prior to his position at ACC, Price worked in several museums and cultural institutions, including The Baltimore Museum of Art, Fenimore Art Museum, Robert Hull Fleming Museum, and Fuller Craft Museum, where he was curator of exhibitions and collections. He holds a MA in museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program: State University of New York at Oneonta and the New York State Historical Association and a BA in history of art from The Johns Hopkins University.
As executive director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Price will work with board and staff to begin a new strategic planning process that will emphasize local and national presence, as well as collaboration. “We are thrilled to have Perry as our new executive director. He has an unmatched passion for and extensive knowledge of contemporary craft, and we are confident that he has the experience, expertise and vision to lead HCCC to the realization of its full potential in the years to come,” Edward McCartney, Board President, said. Once he begins his new position, Price will work closely with Mary Headrick, the organization’s interim executive director, as she transitions to her new role as deputy director.
Price said he is very much looking forward to leading the arts organization, which he believes is poised to grow and increase its significant contributions to the national dialogue of contemporary craft: “As a small institution with a strong reputation, HCCC has the opportunity to be nimble in its programming, collaborate both regionally and nationally, and be a voice for the ever-changing contemporary world of craft, design and the applied arts Now is the moment for the organization to become a leader in the promotion and interpretation of contemporary craft, both in Houston and across the country.”
Price will receive a warm welcome to Houston when he’s in town for Margarita Madness! Celebrating La Quinceañera, HCCC’s cocktail fundraiser, on Thursday, January 21st. Tickets are on sale now at https://crafthouston.org/events/margarita-madness-2016/.
About Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is a nonprofit visual arts center dedicated to advancing education about the process, product and history of craft. HCCC provides exhibition, retail and studio spaces to support the work of local and national artists and serves as a resource for artists, educators and the community at large.
This year, HCCC is celebrating its quinceañera—15 years of educating people of all ages about the beauty and value of contemporary craft. The years since 2001 have seen the organization grow exponentially, with its Artist Residency Program now nationally regarded and its presentation of original exhibitions outstanding. HANDS-ON HOUSTON, a free, monthly, family craft activity has exploded from averaging 50 visitors to over 350 in the past four years. The Asher Gallery has some of the most unique gifts and home décor in Houston, and the Craft Garden offers visitors a chance to learn about plants used in craft making. HCCC has fully grown into its mission and offers visitors many great opportunities to enjoy and learn about craft.
Located in the Museum District at 4848 Main Street, HCCC is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday, 12 – 5 PM. Summer Hours: Closed Sundays, July 5th – Labor Day. Holidays: Closed Easter, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Also closed January 12 – 15, 2016, for repairs. Admission is free. Free parking is available directly behind the facility, off Rosedale and Travis Street. HCCC is three blocks south of Wheeler Ave. MetroRail station on Main Street.
HCCC is funded in part by grants from The Brown Foundation; Houston Endowment, Inc.; the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance; Texas Commission on the Arts; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Kinder Foundation; the Morgan Foundation; Windgate Charitable Foundation; and the Wortham Foundation. HCCC is a member of the Houston Museum District and the Midtown Arts District. For more information, call 713-529-4848 or visit www.crafthouston.org. Find HCCC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @CraftHouston.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jenny Lynn Weitz (jweitz@crafthouston.org)
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
713.529.4848 x 308
###
