Perry Price named Executive Director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

HOUSTON, TX.- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft announced that Perry Price will be the art center’s new executive director, beginning February 29th. In late February, Price will leave his position as director of education at the American Craft Council (ACC) in Minneapolis, MN, where he developed, managed and implemented all aspects of local and national outreach and programming for nearly four years. He brings to HCCC a wealth of experience in arts administration, including project and fiscal management, fundraising, scholarship, programs and exhibitions, as well as a passion for developing and fostering national relationships in the world of contemporary craft.

During his tenure at ACC, Price grew the organization’s awards program, establishing the Emerging Voices Award and expanding the School to Market initiative to all ACC shows. He also redefined the council’s speaker series, symposia, and conference platforms and wrote a number of articles for American Craft magazine. Prior to his position at ACC, Price worked in several museums and cultural institutions, including The Baltimore Museum of Art, Fenimore Art Museum, Robert Hull Fleming Museum, and Fuller Craft Museum, where he was curator of exhibitions and collections. He holds a MA in museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program: State University of New York at Oneonta and the New York State Historical Association and a BA in history of art from The Johns Hopkins University.

As executive director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Price will work with board and staff to begin a new strategic planning process that will emphasize local and national presence, as well as collaboration. “We are thrilled to have Perry as our new executive director. He has an unmatched passion for and extensive knowledge of contemporary craft, and we are confident that he has the experience, expertise and vision to lead HCCC to the realization of its full potential in the years to come,” Edward McCartney, Board President, said. Once he begins his new position, Price will work closely with Mary Headrick, the organization’s interim executive director, as she transitions to her new role as deputy director.

Price said he is very much looking forward to leading the arts organization, which he believes is poised to grow and increase its significant contributions to the national dialogue of contemporary craft: “As a small institution with a strong reputation, HCCC has the opportunity to be nimble in its programming, collaborate both regionally and nationally, and be a voice for the ever-changing contemporary world of craft, design and the applied arts Now is the moment for the organization to become a leader in the promotion and interpretation of contemporary craft, both in Houston and across the country.”

Price will receive a warm welcome to Houston when he’s in town for Margarita Madness! Celebrating La Quinceañera, HCCC’s cocktail fundraiser, on Thursday, January 21st. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.crafthouston.org/events/margarita-madness-2016/.