I was sad to receive an email last night announcing that Gen Art has had to shut down due to budget issues.
It seems that a new corporate partnership and funding arrangement abruptly collapsed recently. After scrambling for other funding solutions over the last few weeks, the 16-year-old national arts and culture organization has run out of funding and closed its doors.
This is a big loss for New York (not to mention Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami). Gen Art's mission was to showcase emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists. The organization produced more than 100 events annually -- from the annual Gen Art Film Festival in New York to fashion shows, art exhibits, and live music showcases.
Gen Art was all about helping new talent find an audience. The organization was also a great way for young New Yorkers to meet others interested in the arts and culture of our city. Years ago, I served as a Gen Art volunteer, screening submissions from up-and-coming filmmakers from around the world for the film festival. Over the last few years, I have continued to attend and cover Gen Art events because you never know when you're going to discover a brilliant artist (and a Gen Art event was always a good time regardless).
Just last month, the 15th Anniversary Gen Art Film Festival opened to a capacity crowd of 1162 people at the Ziegfeld Theater
I hope that some funding angel will step forward to help keep Gen Art alive.
Whatever happens, Gen Art has made a mark. There are many artists out there who found inspiration, support, and much-needed exposure through Gen Art over the years.
Comments
I like you have a long history with Gen Art, as I first worked as a volunteer with them over 10 years ago. I had recently moved to Manhattan and the film festival was the first of many great experiences with Gen Art. I was sad to see that after so many years and memories they are closing their doors. I distinctly remember, as I am sure you do, Ian running around chatting up guest wearing his cool black leather pants. I thought to myself this mission of his is a great idea, not too mention the parties which were always a great time; filled with friendly, and interesting people. I appreciated reading your blog as it brought back great memories.
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing your Gen Art memories!
WELL THATS ALL NICE YOU REMEMBERING ALL THE GOODTIMES YOU HAVE HAD WITH THEM BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE TIMES I HAVE SUBMIITED WORK IN HOPES OF BEING DISOVERD BY GEN ART OR SOMEONE WITH IN. ALSO IF GEN ART NEW OF THERE DOORS CLOSING PRIOR TO THE CLEAN AND CLEAR PROM CONTEST WHY DID THEY MAKE FOOLS OF US DESIGNERS TO ATTEMPT TO GO OUT THERE AND RECIEVE SUBMISSIONS ON OUR GOWNS THAT WE SUBMITTED INTO THE CONTEST TO WIN. WHAT WERE THEY TRYING TO DO? ALSO WHAT HAPPENS NOW TO OUR ORIGINAL DESIGNS.? IT WAS NOT RIGHT THEN TO ASK OF US TO SUBMITT A SHORT BIO AND THEN TURN AROUND TWO DAYS LATTER AND INFORM US THAT THEY HAD SHUT THE DOORS. A MONTH AND SOME SOLICITING OURSELVES TO RECIEVE VOTES ON OUR DESIGNS FOR PROM AND TO END UP WITH WHAT? THIS IS SO SO SO VERY WRONG AND AND VERY DISSAPPOINTING. MAYBE THEIR WILL BE SOMEONE OUT THERE TO MAKE THIS CONTEST A REALITY AND REOPEN WHAT WE THOUGHT TO BE LOST. (I ENTERED THIS CONTEST IN HOPES OF WINNING AND FLYING BACK OUT TO NEW YORK WITH THE GOWN AT HAND TO REVEAL TO THE WORLD. I ENDED THE CONTEST AT NUMBER ONE!!) AND WORKED MY @#$ OFF !!!TO GET VOTES..
This is a joke right? Gen Art hadn’t been relevant in years. They became a fake non-profit that acted as a beard so that their sophomoric owner Ian Gerard could keep company with foolish young women that thought that he could help them somehow with their careers. He was in the Haptons when his staff was laid off abruptly! And as far as the events they had…they were mostly attended by culturally clueless hedge-funders and Murray Hill PR girls that thought Gerard (who is actually a lawyer himself – not an artist in any way shape or form) knew what was hip somehow. It must have been that ridiculous Prince Valiant hair that he was sporting.