When it was incorporated in 1978, Women & Their Work (W&TW) based its activities on three principles suggested by its name: that art is work, that it is a profession for which people ought to be paid, and that women create it, too. This philosophy, with its emphasis on the artist, still informs the more than 50 events W&TW presents each year in visual art, dance, theater, music, and film. In 1986 W&TW expanded its mission to emphasize education and has developed an extensive education program for children and adults.

Although Texas is the third-largest state of residence for artists in the country, far fewer opportunities exist here than in New York or California. And even though Texas is now the second most populous state, per capita spending for art has historically lagged behind 48 states. The lack of exhibition space, performing venues, and serious critical attention has led many artists to leave Texas or continue to work without the financial support and critical recognition that their work merits.

W&TW helps fill this gap by providing exhibition and performing opportunities and by helping attract nationwide attention to the work produced in this region. Nationally recognized, W&TW was the first organization in Texas to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in visual art. In 1989, in a ten-minute segment on Morning Edition, National Public Radio featured a W&TW production of an original play about an African-American Texas woman. In 1993 two different W&TW exhibits were reviewed in Art In America and ArtForum, unprecedented coverage for an organization of this size and geographic location. Dance USA featured a W&TW-presented dance residency of the Urban Bush Women as a national model in its publication, Moving Around: Partnerships at Work in Dance on Tour.

Since its inaugural Festival of Women Artists in 1975, which was the first such festival in Texas, W&TW has paid fees to more than 1,700 regionally and nationally known artists. These artists have participated in hundreds of visual art exhibitions; international film festivals; dance, music, and theater events; literary readings; touring exhibitions; educational workshops; and publications.

Each year, W&TW brings the work of outstanding contemporary artists to more than 5,000 Austin school children and teachers through gallery tours and talks with exhibiting artists, hands-on art activities, in-school performances, teacher workshops, and classroom
projects. Programs emphasize direct student interaction with artists.

Since 1986, performing artists presented by W&TW have worked with more than 22,000 school children in elementary, junior high, and high school. Residency activities have been designed to familiarize students with the basic components of dance, theater, and music and to develop in them an appreciation for and interest in these art forms. The visual arts program, expanded in 1995, seeks to introduce teachers and students directly to important contemporary artists, to expand public understanding of contemporary art, and to exercise young imaginations in ways that foster intellectual growth. Computer graphics and Web page design classes also help prepare students for design-related professions.

In 1997, with the support of the Andy Warhol Foundation, W&TW accomplished a long-term goal of creating publications to further adult art education by informing audiences about ways to interpret contemporary art. For each exhibition (a new one is installed every five weeks), W&TW commissions a writer to analyze the development, context, and significance of the art on view. This helps develop critical writing and interpretation within the contemporary art community of our region. These publications also provide each exhibiting artist with significant documentation of their work.

Through its many programs and services, W&TW continues to be one of the strongest advocates for artists and their work in the region. And with its innovative education programs and publications, W&TW serves to further understanding and dialogue about contemporary art.

Women & Their Work Gallery & Gift Shop is open Monday–Friday 9–6, and Saturday noon–5. Admission is free. The gallery is located at 1710 Lavaca. For further information, please call 512-477-1064 or visit www.womenandtheirwork.org.

Thanks to Women & Their Work for the article and photo.