TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 at 6:30 PM
GALLERY
FREE/OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Join DiverseWorks in welcoming Louise Martorano, Managing Director of National Programs, Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST), to Houston as part of the Diverse Discourse Lecture & Studio Visit Program. The Diverse Discourse Lecture and Studio Visit Program brings curators and artistic directors to Houston to share their knowledge and ideas through free public lectures and visits with local artists.
Louise Martoranos’ talk, It’s Not Out of Reach, will take place at the DiverseWorks Gallery @ MATCH at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 9, and is co-hosted by Lawndale Art Center. Artist careers are often volatile and can be a rollercoaster when it comes to economic stability, financial security, and dependable infrastructure. This talk and discussion place these challenges at the center of our attention, offering strategies for artists to skillfully approach uncertainty across issues of space, ownership, financial stability, and scarce opportunities. Drawing on 17 years of experience in supporting artists’ careers and in caring for our arts and culture ecosystems, the goal of this talk is to reassure participants that the path to being an artist with a sustainable career is not out of reach.
APPLY FOR A STUDIO VISIT:
Deadline: December 1, 2025 Houston-area artists working in all disciplines (including visual artists, writers, dancers, choreographers, and performance artists) are invited to apply through Submittable. Artists selected by the visiting curator will be notified by December 2nd.
VISITING SPEAKER BIO:
Louise Martorano has 20 years of nonprofit arts and culture experience with a focus on building infrastructures of support to stabilize artists careers. Prior to joining the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (“CAST”) as the Managing Director of National Programs and launching CAST Colorado, Louise served for 15 years as the Executive & Artistic Director of RedLine Contemporary Art Center, a non-profit contemporary art center and 2 year artist residency located in Denver. In this position, Louise developed the Artist-in-Residence program, developed, facilitated and supported the curation of over 300 exhibitions, launched both regranting and fiscal sponsorship programs to make philanthropic funds more accessible to artists and community organizations, and launched a Satellite Studio initiative to negotiate affordable studio, commercial and live/work spaces for artists and arts and culture organizations. From 2019 – 2025, the Satellite Initiative resulted in adding 79 affordable artists studios into the Denver Metro Area, 4 new live/work housing developments, and negotiated 8 new locations for arts & culture nonprofits that previously did not have their own space. In 2017, she was awarded a Livingston Fellowship for leadership from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. Louise holds a M.H. from the University of Colorado at Denver with a focus in Contemporary Art History & Music. She is a Trustee for the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Board Chair for the Harmony Hammond Trust, Board Treasurer for the National Performance Network and the Denver Center for African Art.
ABOUT DIVERSE DISCOURSE:
Initiated in 2013, Diverse Discourse brings curators, artistic directors, and critics from across North America to Houston. While here, they present a free public lecture and conduct studio visits with Houston-area artists, performers, and writers. These visits often lead to long-term relationships and future projects, contributing to Houston’s reputation as an essential center of contemporary curatorial ideas and artistic practice. Previous lecturers have included Candice Hopkins, Independent Curator & Writer; Senior Curator, Toronto Biennial of Art, Kemi Ilesanmi, Executive Director, The Laundromat Project, New York, NY, and Christopher K. Morgan, Choreographer and Vice President of Programming – Maui Arts & Cultural Center, among others.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO MATCH
⏱️BEFORE THE SHOW
- MATCH Concessions opens 1 hour prior to the start of each event.
Enjoy a cocktail, wine, beer, or snack before the show.
View concessions menu. - Seating typically open 30 minutes prior to curtain.
- Please note: Some shows have a no late seating or re-entry after the performance has begun. Arrive early!
🅿️LOCATION & PARKING
MATCH is located in Midtown Houston. Click here for directions and parking options, including garages and metered street parking.
🍽️AREA RESTAURANTS & BARS
Make it a night out! Click here for a curated list of nearby restaurants and bars within walking distance of MATCH.
♿ ACCESSIBILITY
MATCH is a fully accessible facility.
For accessible seating or special assistance, please contact the box office in advance so we can help accommodate your needs. Click here to email the box office.
