Texas Folklife Announces Move to New Location
TEXAS FOLKLIFE ANNOUNCES MOVE TO NEW LOCATION
Will Move from South Congress Avenue to Burnet Road on April 14, 2015
Historic Building on South Congress will be leased to New Commercial Tenant
Austin, Texas – March 27, 2015 – Texas Folklife has announced that they plan to move the Texas Folklife Gallery and offices. The moving process has already begun and will be complete on Tuesday, April 14. The non-profit that promotes Texas’s traditional arts and culture has owned the building where the Gallery and offices are located on South Congress since 1998. For ten years, the organization has shared the space by renting the front half of their building to the fair trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages.
Texas Folklife began in 1984 with a handful of committed, young folklorists who sought to preserve the traditional culture of the state. Since that time, the organization has preserved and presented the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State, honored the cultural traditions passed down in communities across the state, and helped to explore those traditions importance in contemporary society. Texas Folklife carries out its mission with a vibrant mix of performances, exhibitions, community residencies, apprenticeships, and educational programs that reaches an audience of over one million annually throughout the state.
Now in its 30th year of operation and under the capable stewardship of Executive Director Cristina Ballí, this next phase in Texas Folklife’s growth will enable the organization to preserve their place in the community and the state. Recognizing the changing face of South Congress and downtown Austin, the entire historic building has been leased to a new commercial tenant, which will be announced soon.
Texas Folklife will continue to carry out its vibrant mix of performances, programs and exhibitions. In fact, there will be a central gallery space, larger office space for staff, and convenient parking. When Texas Folklife bought the building on South Congress in 1998 and moved the office and Gallery, SoCo was just beginning to become a hot spot in the city. With this move to the area just off Burnet Road on Houston St., the organization will once again play a role in a burgeoning and active area of Austin.
“For almost 20 years, Texas Folklife has been an anchor and active participant in the South Austin neighborhood,’” says Executive Director Cristina Ballí. “Although we will miss our SoCo home and hope to return one day, we are truly excited to be starting this next chapter. I’ve been calling our new space the ‘Texas Folklife House.’ It has a homey feel. We hope you come and visit us, see our exhibits, meet with us in our new ‘living room’ all the while without having to struggle with as much traffic and parking. Change can be difficult but can also allow for new opportunities and fresh energy.”
Texas Folklife is supported by the members and Board of Texas Folklife, the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division and the Office of Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs, Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Houston Endowment, Stillwater Foundation, Shield Ayres Foundation, Humanities Texas, and the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.
About Texas Folklife
Texas Folklife is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State. For 30 years, Texas Folklife has honored the authentic cultural traditions passed down within communities, explored their importance in contemporary society, and celebrated them by providing accessible and joyful arts experiences.
1708 Houston St.
Austin, Texas 78756
T (512) 441-9255
F (512) 441-9222
Media information: Sheree Scarborough (512) 922-5483 / sheree.scarborough@gmail.com
