Enjoyed conversation yesterday with John Launius, President of Vidzu Media, as part of the media company's Leadership Factor intervew series. Vidzu is part of the Nitrous Effect collective of companies. Discussion included issues facing artists in the quarantine era, ways Art Saint Louis is pivoting to serve the community during this time, and silver linings that may follow the pandemic crisis.
I've appreciated the opportunity to get to know John through his frequent visits to Art Saint Louis and Catalyst Coffee Bar. As much as anyone I know, he fits the description of a rennaisance man, as a respected business leader, public speaker, actor and martial arts instructor. I'm currently enjoying his newly released book, The Life and Times of Missouri's Charles Parsons, an immersive retelling of a 19th century figure who, among other things, played a vital role in the development of art in the life of St. Louis.
Leadership Factor: Chandler Branch, Executive Director of Art Saint Louis from Vidzu Media on Vimeo.
And I'm noting again just how terribly dated my blog bio pic is (hair, anyone?). Man I've gotta get that updated.
We value and pursue excellence in all our programs and exhibitions, from our selection of program partners, jurors and curators, to our communications and relationships with civic leaders, private donors, grant makers and corporate sponsors.
Driven by a conviction that the relevance and impact of art goes far beyond the circle of those who create it, we are passionately committed to an ongoing, art-inspired dialogue with our community, developing and engaging new audiences and fostering connections between and among artists and audiences for their mutual benefit.
Through dynamic exhibitions, outreach programs and applications delivering the art of our region to an ever-widening audience, our modus operandi is inspired by the ever-evolving work of our artists that consistently refines and defies expectations.
In the panoply of arts organizations at work in the St. Louis area, including (especially) institutions with resonant interests in visual art, we recognize and enthusiastically pursue opportunities for synergistic collaboration to cross-fertilize and multiply the intellectual and cultural capital of our region.