FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2011

Free Calendar App Available for iPhone, iPad and Android

DALLAS/FORT WORTH – Art&Seek, the service from KERA that brings together North Texas arts and cultural events, is pleased to announce the launch of its new free mobile events calendar application (app) for smartphone and iPad. The mobile calendar app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, can be downloaded at no charge from the iTunes App Store and Android Market, as well as at artandseek.org, beginning on October 28, 2011. The mobile calendar app allows users to search events and listings from the more than 3,000 arts groups and venues represented on artandseek.org.

Developed and funded by the Business Council for the Arts, Leadership Arts Class of 2011,  the Art&Seek mobile calendar app’s full range of functionality includes:

• An events calendar easily browsed alphabetically, by date or by region
• A schedule of events at a user’s favorite museum, gallery, theater or library
• Events in close proximity to a user’s current location
• A “share” function enabling users to inform others of favorite events
• A customizable “create your own calendar” tool
• Art&Seek’s top picks of the day, as heard on the Art&Seek calendar on KERA FM and KXT 91.7
• Maps, directions and venue information

Speaking on the launch of the new app, Anne Bothwell, Director of Art&Seek, states, “This is an exciting opportunity for artandseek.org, whose audience is already familiar with our online content and on-air offerings on KERA TV, KERA FM and KXT 91.7 FM. The mobile app allows users to navigate the calendar quickly and easily while on the go, and offers another platform for the organizations that rely on Art&Seek to promote their events.”

The unique partnership between Art&Seek and the Business Council for the Arts is the first of its kind for both organizations. Speaking on the partnership, Katherine Wagner said, “Business Council for the Arts is extremely proud of our Leadership Arts Class of 2011; their business acumen and passion for the arts created an asset that will help Art&Seek benefit even greater numbers of citizens.”

On Friday, October 28, 2011, Art&Seek, members of Business Council for the Arts and its Leadership Arts Class of 2011, will be at ‘Til Midnight at the Nasher to introduce and celebrate the launch of the new app. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Nasher Sculpture Center and is open to the public.

This is the latest mobile app release from North Texas Public Broadcasting, having previously launched free apps for KERA and KXT 91.7 FM, which are available for download at kera.org and kxt.org.

Art&Seek wishes to thank the following organizations and individuals, without whom the app would not be possible:

Crouch & Ramey; Deloitte; Texas Instruments; Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.; Haynes and Boone; Jones Day; Grant Thornton L.L.P.; Dawson + Murray + Teague Communications; Baker Botts L.L.P.; and Jackson Walker L.L.P.

Leadership Arts Class of 2011

Jason Aboujeib, Jennifer Adams, Ronald Baker, Andrew Barron, Amanda Basler, Vincent Battles, Robert Bolanger, David Beran, Manuel Berrelez, Sherry R. Boyd, Jonna Brashear, Randall Brown, Patrick Carew, Susan Carringer, Kevin Cooper, Kellie Crewse, Elizabeth Czimskey, Elida Dakoli, Beverly Davis, James Deeken, Laura Green, Amy Henry, Kelly Herod, Susan Hogan, David Horan, Randy Katz, Abbie Kopf, James Lacey, Michael Laussade, John Lawrence, Victoria McGrath, Angela Marturano, Joshua Meeks, Lara Moffat, Mark Moyle, Courtney Naudo, Ted Navitskas, Rina Parikh and Jennifer Parker

ABOUT KERA

KERA is a not-for-profit public media organization that serves the people of North Texas. The station broadcasts to the fourth-largest population area in the United States. KERA produces original multimedia content, carries the best in national and international public television and radio programs, and provides online resources at www.kera.org. The station’s extensive coverage of the arts can be found at www.artandseek.org. KERA-TV broadcasts on Channel 13.1. KERA WORLD broadcasts on 13.2. KERA-FM broadcasts on 90.1 in Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton, 88.3 in Wichita Falls, 100.1 in Tyler and 99.3 in Sherman. KXT 91.7 FM, KERA’s new music station, KXT 91.7, is streamed online at www.kxt.org.

ABOUT BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS / LEADERSHIP ARTS INSTITUTE:  

Business Council for the Arts is a nonprofit business membership organization founded in 1988 by Raymond D. Nasher and other business leaders in Dallas committed to improving quality of life and fostering economic development in North Texas through effective business participation in arts and culture. BCA specifically designed Leadership Arts to develop the next generation of community leaders and to encourage passion for the arts in North Texas. Leadership Arts is targeted to business professionals and provides training in three key areas: leadership, board of director best-practices, regional cultural environment. More than 900 North Texans have graduated from the Leadership Arts Institute. Many of those graduates now serve on arts boards, both in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, and across the country.

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CONTACT:

Christopher Wagley

Director, Marketing & Communications

KERA, KXT and Art&Seek

cwagley@kera.org

214-740-9377