The New, New Culturatti

According to Washington lore, each year on Feb. 2, a scrawny urban hipster crawls out of his musty, overpriced English basement to see if the arts really exist in Washington, DC.

Historically, unable to find his cigarettes and overtaken by ennui, this espresso-sipping gallery goer thumbs his nose at the cultural establishment and heads back inside.

One more year of unrecognized cultural contributions.

This year, we have put together a list of the (perhaps) lesser-known contributors to the DC culture and arts scene. Once we recognize these folks and their accomplishments, we'll cast off the pernicious winter of cultural discontent and bask in the unending summer of cultural glory.

	Mark Anderson, Positive Force DC and Emmaus Services for the Aging. With his 18 years in the DC Punk Rock Community, Mark has learned how to do what seems the impossible. He has chosen a life of service and love of the scene over cashing in or selling out. Through his work as co-founder of Positive Force, as well as his day job at Emmaus, Mark has had a tremendous impact on the cultural life of the District.
	Randy Baker and Jenny McConnell, directors, and Grady Weatherford, actor, Rorschach Theatre. They walk the talk. Their mission says it all: "Through uncommon uses of environment and intimate passionate performances, Rorschach Theatre seeks to lure its audiences beyond the limits of ordinary theatrical experience so that they may discover new elements of their own humanity." This young company has received significant acclaim for its dynamic performances with emerging actors, its thoughtful treatment of challenging scripts, and its inventive use of space and design.
	Anne Corbett, executive director, Cultural Development Corp. Aren't we all envious of Anne, whose job entails planning for the arts in the city? When she isn't shrewdly arguing to the DC business community for the necessity of a world-class city to have a world-class arts infrastructure, she's finding space for the arts, including the somewhat controversial but always entertaining Art-O-Matic. She also oversees such projects as Mather Studios, an arts incubator downtown, and the redevelopment of the Tivoli and Atlas theaters.
	Jose Dominguez. Through his job at the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Jose shows municipal appreciation for the arts by throwing events such as The U Street Arts Festival and The Mayor's Arts Awards. His support for the arts will not be fully felt, however, until the young people he has inspired through his work with The Southeast Project and Young Playwright's Theater. Both institutions (the former he founded for The Shakespeare Theater) have as a guiding principle the belief that play building (writing, acting, designing, directing) empowers youth to foster their imagination as they boost their self-esteem and confidence.
	Sarah Finlay and Patrick Murcia, directors, Fusebox. They’ve been labeled the spanking fresh hope of the DC art gallery scene, generating buzz since first opening their doors barely a year ago. They’re “committed to a curatorial program that will enhance the city’s rich intellectual, cultural, and visual landscape.” The local artists they represent are of an international and national quality. In addition, Sarah and Patrick bring challenging, intriguing artists from around the country, and the world, to the District.
	Wendy C. Goldberg, Arena Stage’s artistic associate, is truly making a difference, and not just to Washington Theater, but to the American theatrical canon. Leading Arena’s downstairs in the Old Vat Room play development series, Wendy brings to DC never-before-read plays by both local writers and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights (recently including Wendy Wasserstein and Robert Schenkkan). From providing local playwrights the opportunity to develop Washington-centered work to directing new mainstage plays, Wendy understands that new work is the lifeblood of American theater.
	Stephen Bennett Phillips, curator, The Phillips Collection. Stephen truly cares about modern and contemporary art, and photography, in particular. He’s about the art and not the party. Currently, he’s occupied with an exhibition he organized: vintage photographs by Margaret Bourke-White. He continues to be involved with living artists by serving as juror for various local and national art organizations.
	Larry Quick, founder of Life Pieces to Masterpieces. Here's a new school: Life Pieces to Masterpieces. The curriculum -- the three Cs: connecting, creating, and contributing. The students -- African American males, ages three to 21, who are living in DC Public Housing east of the Anacostia River. The professor -- Larry Quick. For Larry, as for many of his fellow artists and collaborators in Life Pieces to Masterpieces, art can be and very often is a salvation. He grew up in the DC Public Housing Projects and used art as a lifeline to survive. After attending the Corcoran College of Art and Design, Larry founded Life Pieces, which extends that same lifeline to others. Life Pieces was the first group of young people invited to exhibit an Arts in the Academy at the National Academy of Sciences
	Molly Raphael, director, the DC Public Library System. While other cities are experiencing a renaissance in public spaces by using the library as a community gathering place and an information resource for teaching and learning, DC Public Libraries have fallen into disrepair. Think how that reflects on our city. Our queries to the mayor have been answered with a "we didn't cut funding" form letter. But DC deserves better. Luckily, Molly has Washington Post Metro columnist Marc Fisher's support behind her. The time to resurrect DC public libraries is now, and we need the clear, tireless vision of a leader like Molly to help us.
	Mark Shugoll, CEO of Shugoll Research, leads one of the top 100 marketing research companies in the U.S., according to Advertising Age magazine. So there are plenty of laurels for Mark to rest on. Instead, he donates a significant level of pro bono or discounted market research studies to a long list of arts organizations, helping them better understand their patrons and how to reach them. He is also a vocal advocate for arts education and has created innovative programs such as TheaterTrips! and ArtSpeak!, which introduce young people to the arts and artists. Mark’s passion for the arts is evident not just by his involvement, but in any conversation one has with him.
	Allison Silberberg, founder, The Film Biz Happy Hour. Galvanize DC’s film community and raise thousands for charity? It’s all in a day’s work for Allison, who started this so-called “schmooze-fest” in 1996 to bring together writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, composers, editors, actors, and voice talent. In addition, Film Biz also raises money for local charities (a different one every month, with proceeds so far totaling over $38,000). But that’s not all. Allison is also the founder and executive director of Lights, Camera, Action! (LCA!), a national non-profit corporation committed to helping young people realize their potential through film.
	Septime Webre, artistic director, the Washington Ballet. Ever hear this guy talk? Just listening to Septime makes you smile. Part evangelist, part arts leader, Webre has led the Washington Ballet to the forefront of the chi-chi arts scene since his appointment as artistic director in June of 1999. He is a member of the board of directors of Dance/USA, has been honored by Young Audiences of the District of Columbia, and has received fellowships and recognition for his choreography. Thanks to him, the Washington Ballet can now be considered, with The Washington Opera and The Shakespeare Theatre, a world-class arts institution.
	Catherine Weidner. She's Ms. Shakespeare, herself. She runs the nation's only MFA program for classical acting in the country. She is an improv comedy mentor to not-so-fledgling improv groups including WIT. She teaches classes on drama at the Smithsonian and around the country. She has written for Letterman (back when he was funny!). She's even been on a game show and won. Get that story from Catherine. She's funny. She's social. And she's a hoot to be around. You wanna talk intriguing? Ask her about her book club for the classically challenged. Or the Washington Post Magazine cover story about her program.
	William Wooby, director, Millennium Arts Center. Here’s a guy who isn’t afraid to take risks. With his own money (and grants from various foundations), he turned a 150,000-square-foot former school into a vast maze of artist studios and exhibit space. Located in southwest DC, Millennium is off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. What’s Bill got up his sleeve in 2003? A bigger, better glass center and full purchase of the building.
	Nina Zolt, founder and chair, In2Books. Where do you start when the incredible lack of resources and ineffective pedagogy of the DC Public School System really gets you down? Nina will tell you to start a foundation based on the premise that children who read and, in turn, write about what they read will develop into lifelong learners. So five years ago, she started In2Books, which matches adult pen pals with public school students, sends them each copies of the same books, and has them write to each other about the experience throughout the school year. Now, more than 1,500 DC-area public school students (and increasing to 3,500 next year!) can make friends constructively through this incredible book club.

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Contributors: Sacha Cohen, Faith Flanagan, and Topher Kandik.

Photo of Sarah Finlay and Patrick Murcia courtesy of Jeffrey Prehn Studio, LLC.