FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AURORA PICTURE SHOW FINDS A NEW HOME

Houston media arts organization will relocate its headquarters to the East End

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 21, 2023) – Houston media arts organization Aurora Picture Show is proud to announce that it will soon be moving to a new and improved headquarters in Houston’s vibrant East End. Situated within an active, state-designated cultural district and centrally located to its city-wide audiences, the new space will house the org’s office and main venue for special screenings, film festivals, audiovisual installations, multimedia performances, artist talks, and youth education programs. Aurora will continue its variety of satellite presentations and collaborations across Houston, but will have a stronger core and a brighter future! 

Beginning in October, Aurora Picture Show will be headquartered in a converted warehouse at 201 Roberts, between Harrisburg and Canal. This historic property is owned by Concept Neighborhood, a Houston-based real estate investment, development, and management company that envisions The Plant/Second Ward area as an authentic walkable neighborhood with locally owned businesses, independent creative spaces, and public greenspaces. Aurora’s central venue and gathering space will not only be situated within this cluster of community activity, but will also be centrally located in an easily accessible part of our sprawling city–close to downtown, METRORail stops, and a network of bike trails. Renovations are currently underway, and Aurora will begin presenting a diversity of programming in the new venue in the fall of this year.

Dedicated to expanding the cinematic experience and promoting the appreciation of moving image art, Aurora Picture Show has a long history of presenting unique artistic and educational experiences in Houston. Since its founding in 1998, Aurora has continually championed innovative, non-traditional film, video, and audiovisual works at its own venues as well as sites around the city. In keeping with the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of media arts, Aurora’s efforts have always prioritized the forging of creative connections. Aurora regularly collaborates with a wide range of arts organizations, festivals, museums, schools, libraries, community centers, and hospitals throughout the city. Its artistic programs frequently feature talks and open conversations with both local and visiting artists about relevant creative, cultural, and technical issues. The organization presents a wide range of opportunities for artists to create and present new work, including its open-sourced community projection event BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer), the submission-based Extremely Shorts Film Festival with worldwide reach, and solo projects allowing artists to take risks in a supportive environment.

“Even as a 25-year-old organization, we never stop trying to build new connections, deepen relationships, and create meaningful experiences through moving image art,” says Aurora’s Executive Director, Sarah Stauder. “There’s no better part of town to center those efforts than the East End– a place with a strong cultural identity, a rich history, and a thriving creative community.”

Aurora is looking forward to expanding its collaborative relationships in the East End. Among its existing activities in the area is NIGHT LIGHT, a free, annual event featuring new video installations by Houston artists at sites along Buffalo Bayou East, as well as music, food trucks, and community vendors. Co-presented by Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the upcoming NIGHT LIGHT 2023will take place on April 1 and will feature video works by artists Chap Edmonson, Jamie Robertson, and Input Output. Aurora also hopes to grow its bilingual youth education programs by continuing to work with important East End hubs such as the Stanaker and Flores neighborhood libraries.

Aurora Picture Show’s move to a new East End space can be seen as part of an important chapter in the evolution of the organization. Though recent years have been a challenging time for the arts, Aurora’s board, staff, and supporters are encouraged and re-invigorated by a confirmation of the organization’s built-in experimental spirit, its legacy of creative adaptation, and its emphasis on direct community experience. Especially in conjunction with the rapid cultural and technological advancement of audiovisual media, Aurora’s explorations in this area have never been more relevant to contemporary art. As it moves into its 25thyear as Houston’s premier media arts organization, Aurora is very happy to be moving into a new home at the center of a thriving arts community and the center of its evolving city.

Media Contact:
Peter Lucas, Director of Communications and Artistic Collaborations, Aurora Picture Show
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