Artist Laureate Program

Katy Krantz, Culver City Artist Laureate 2023 - 2024

 Katy Krantz in studio
Katy Krantz at work in ceramics studio - photo by Rene Mundo Croshere

Katy Krantz was appointed by City Council as Culver City’s Artist Laureate for a two-year term from January 2023 through December 2024. The appointment was recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission and by an independent panel of distinguished professionals with expertise in arts and culture. Ms. Krantz is serving as a cultural ambassador, advocating for the arts across disciplines within the community, including artistic equity, cultural diversity, and access.

A Culver City resident for over eight years, Katy Krantz (she/her) is a visual artist focusing on ceramics as well as an arts educator. She has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Painting, as well as bachelor’s degrees in Studio Art and American Studies. Her practice focuses on handmade ceramic tile that involves the direct participation of the communities in which the murals are located. She has completed installations under a public agency’s art program, at schools, and on private property. Visit Ms. Krantz's website for more examples of her work.

As Artist Laureate, Ms. Krantz is leading socially-engaged community projects, including hands-on arts activities at many locations in Culver City. Information about workshops, exhibitions, and other Artist Laureate activities are posted on the Culver City website.

About the Artist Laureate Program

Fine and Visual Arts Performing Arts Literary Arts

 

Culver City continues to expand its recognition of the importance of the arts and the many creative artists who are committed to developing their art forms, enriching our community with their exhibits, performances, presentations, and service. The program is a collaboration between the City of Culver City -- the City Council and Cultural Affairs Commission -- and Culver City Arts Foundation. Funding is made possible by the City’s percent for art program and a grant from the Culver City Arts Foundation, dedicated to supporting the arts in Culver City. 

The City will appoint for a two-year term an individual artist from one of three arts discipline categories—fine and visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts—to serve as cultural ambassador and advocate for the arts within Culver City. The award will recognize artistic excellence, support the continuing development of the artist’s work, and spotlight the important role individual artists play in contributing to a vibrant, equitable and healthy community, enriching the city’s creative economy, and positively impacting the quality of life for people of all ages.

Visit the Application Page for Eligibility, Criteria and Selection Process

Culver City is dedicated to achieving cultural equity through its programs. Cultural equity embodies the values, policies, and practices that ensure that all people—including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion—are represented in the development of arts policy; the support of artists; the nurturing of accessible, thriving venues for expression; and the fair distribution of programmatic, financial, and informational resources.

Alexey Steele, Culver City Artist Laureate 2020 - 2022

Self portrait of Alexey Steele, oil on canvas, 2014, used with permission of artist

Alexey Steele, Self-Portrait, 2014

Alexey Steele was appointed Artist Laureate by the Culver City City Council for a two-year term January 2020 – December 2021 and extended through 2022.

Steele is a visual artist with a background of the Russian representational school. Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1967, he began art training at an early age in the studio of his father Leonid Steele, a renowned artist of the Socialist Realism School of the Soviet Union. Steele gained recognition for his multi-figure large scale compositions, portraits, nudes and plein-air landscapes.

As Artist Laureate, Alexey Steele attended events, engaged with the public directly, supported and collaborated with community artists, and partnered with the school district and the City’s cultural organizations and businesses to develop new programming.

“With this appointment, the City Council acknowledges the important role individual artists play in Culver City, advancing the city’s creative economy and positively impacting our quality of life, enriching our community with their exhibits, performances, presentations, and service.” Cultural Affairs Commission Member Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin

“We are proud to continue Culver City’s strong commitment to the arts by appointing Alexey Steele as our Artist Laureate. His strong vision and immense talent as a visual artist, along with his extensive community work, make him the ideal cultural ambassador for our city. We are confident his tenure will be both productive and inspiring!” Former City Council Member Meghan Sahli-Wells

Visit Alexey Steele's Page for Biography and Activities

Dr. Janet Cameron Hoult, Honorary Artist Laureate for Poetry 2015 - 2019

Drawing by Alexey Steele of subject Janet Hoult, captured in live stream October 2020

 

Portrait of Janet by Alexey Steele, 2020

Dr. Hoult was instrumental in getting the Artist Laureate Program established in Culver City and worked closely with the Cultural Affairs Commission and City staff in developing program guidelines. She is still writing and publishing her poetry and regularly presents at meetings and events throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Visit Janet Hoult's Page for Biography and Activities