Big Read Applications Open; The Wayward Artist Ceasing Operations

October 31, 2024

Applications for 2025-26 Big Read Now Open

The National Endowment for the Arts is partnering once again with Arts Midwest on the Big Read, a national program that offers matching grants of up to $20,000 to support community-wide reading programs. Nonprofit arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments are all encouraged to apply.

Read more here.

Santa Ana’s The Wayward Artist

to Cease Operations

The Wayward Artist’s Board President and Founding Artistic Director Craig Tyrl announced in an October 30, 2024 email that the eight year old theatre company would cease full-time operations on December 31 of this year. The company has been based in Santa Ana’s Grand Central Arts Center. Tyrl expressed his gratitude to everyone in the community who has supported them.

To learn more about The Wayward Artist, click here.

Orange County Arts and Disability Recognizes Honorees at Inaugural Event

President and CEO of the Bowers Museum Sean O’Harrow along with a number of museum docents.

Orange County Arts and Disability held its first "Heart of Inclusion Awards" event on October 17th at Santa Ana’s Main Place Mall to honor Hollywood actor William Allen Young, ASL interpreter Paula Dunn and the Bowers Museum. The event is designed to honor individuals who have demonstrated significant commitment, impact and leadership in service to the arts and disability community. It also recognizes organizations whose programming and projects promote inclusivity and accessibility in the arts for people with disabilities.

To learn more about Orange County Arts and Disability, click here.

Culture OC Journalists Named

National Awards Finalists

The National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards recently announced their 2024 finalists, including several Culture OC journalists. Founded in 2008 by the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards recognize the finest work from U.S.-based entertainment reporters and editors, as well as theater, film and television critics in all mediums, including print, radio, television and online.

Culture OC finalists:

Theater/Performing Arts Critic | Critic: Any Media Platform (Broadcast, Print, or Online) - Eric Marchese

Music Critic | Critic: Any Media Platform (Broadcast, Print, or Online) - Timothy Mangan

Humor Writing | Any Media Platform (Broadcast, Print, or Online) - Peter Lefevre, “Ukulele Against the Machine”

Business, Theater/Performing Arts | Print / Online - Joel Beers, “Hey Brother, Can You Spare an Empty Space?”

Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts Industry | Online (Content Exclusive to the Internet) - Joel Beers, “Re-Imagining the Railroad”

Visual Arts/Architecture/Literature Feature | Online (Content Exclusive to the Internet) - Richard Chang, “Hilbert Museum Reopens and Nearly Triples in Size”

For a complete list of finalists click here.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Announces New Vice President of Programming and Production

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced that Limor Tomer will be their new Vice President of Programming and Production, effective January 6, 2025. Tomer will play a major leadership role in formulating the artistic vision for Segerstrom Center, the creation of new work, and exploring opportunities for the Center to enhance its role and reputation as a producer while maintaining and enhancing its status as a premier presenter of the performing arts. Tomer joins Segerstrom Center following a successful 13-year tenure as the General Manager of the Live Arts Department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Read more here.

Festival Singers Announce

New Artistic Director

The Festival Singers of Orange County have announced the appointment of Dr. David Sheridan as their new Artistic Director. Dr. Sheridan has over thirty years’ experience as a choral musician, conductor and educator on the East and West Coasts. In addition to his musical life, he is a full-time faculty member in the History Department at California State University, Long Beach.

Read more here.

Inaugural Chief Curator Appointed

at Langson Institute and Museum

of California Art

The UC Irvine Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art announced the appointment of Alaina Claire Feldman as inaugural chief curator, effective January 6, 2025. Feldman currently serves as director and curator of the Mishkin Gallery at Baruch College, The City University of New York. Previously she was director of exhibitions at Independent Curators International, New York.

Read more here.

Progress on Great Park Continues with Irvine

City Council Approving New Contracts

Young cyclists make their way along the Walkable Historical Timeline.

The City of Irvine has recently approved a number of contracts which ensure progress on Great Park development will continue its rapid progress. Included is a $1.7 million deal with Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects to transform Hangar 369 into a “state-of-the-art event center.” The council has also approved a $200,000 budget for painting updated entries on the “Walkable Historic Timeline” that runs through the center of the park and traces historical events from 13,000 BCE to 1990.

Read more here.

California State University, Fullerton to Launch Theatre Teaching Credential

CSUF students and alumni spent a summer studying consent-based and anti-oppressive theatre pedagogy in preparation for the new credential program.

California State University, Fullerton will soon become one the first universities in California to offer an accredited single subject teaching credential in theatre when it launches next Fall. The program will offer professional mentorship and pedagogical training for students who aspire to be theatre teachers in secondary school settings, opening up a new career avenue for theatre alumni.

Read more here.

Welcome New ArtsOC Members

Arts Orange County is a membership organization. Our members help us forge innovative and effective collaborations, grow informed and active audiences and ensure that the arts are seen as essential to the emotional, physical, and economic well-being of our region. Our newest members are:

Museum of Make Believe

www.museumofmakebelieve.org

Platinum Performing Arts

www.performplatinum.com

Judy Brower Fancher

https://browermillercole.com/

Megan Geer

Instagram: @megang.arts

Nicole Hansen

https://www.maednthreads.com/

Sakina Ibrahim

https://www.danceartsacademyoc.org/foundation