Contemporary Art Month isn’t the only art fest in the state trying to go all-pro. The Texas Biennial, founded in 2005 in Austin by a loose collective of independent galleries and artists, announced earlier this year that it is significantly changing its focus and selection criteria for next year’s show. Most dramatically, the Biennial is ditching the multiple group shows format in favor of four curated solo exhibitions starring artists from North, East, South, and West, and two group shows — all of them judged by one eye, that of Art in America Corresponding Editor Michael Duncan.
Duncan’s tastes are enhanced by those of Blanton Assistant Curator for American and Contemporary Art Risa Puleo for the Art in Public Places Temporary Outdoor Project, which is awarding funds to four artists who will create and install original works for the 2009 Biennial. It’s too late to apply for the public-art spots, but the group-show deadline has been extended to June 30, with winners announced July 31. Get the info at texasbiennial.com, and make plans now to be in Austin March 6 and 7 next year for the opening receptions for all three components.
