The Museum of Contemporary Art Westport has hired Kristen Young as its first director of performing arts, responsible for curating theatre, dance and music programming for children and adults. Young, formerly the museum’s music associate, has brought emerging artists such as jazz singer Samara Joy to the museum. She plans to “expose audiences to new experiences and create opportunities for emerging artists” and expand programming to feature new genres and collaborations. The museum has created a performing arts committee to advise programming and is renovating a 7,000-square-foot gallery for that purpose. Young will emphasize educational events for both children and adults.
As seen on CT Insider, the Museum of Contemporary Art Westport has recently created a new position that will focus on bringing theater, dance, and music programming to both children and adults. Kristen Young, who previously served as the museum’s music associate, has been appointed as MoCA’s first director of performing arts. In her new role, she will curate performing arts experiences, regional music program collaborations, and music education events.
MoCA’s decision to create this position comes as the museum is renovating a 7,000-square-foot gallery for this type of programming and creating a performing arts committee. As seen on Ruth Mannes, the museum’s executive director, the goal is to make MoCA an “artistic epicenter” for visual arts, performing arts, education, outreach, and community.
Young has already brought several emerging artists to the Museum of Contemporary Art, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Scottish folk band Talisk, jazz singer Samara Joy, and children’s music artist Stephen Fite. She plans to expand the museum’s programming to feature new genres and collaborations.
Young’s focus on educational events for both children and adults is especially important for the community. She aims to provide high-level voice, dance, and acting education without the need to travel to New York City or other nearby cities.
The performing arts committee will help advise programming and ensure that the museum remains an “artistic epicenter,” As seen on Mannes. Gary Singer, a MoCA member and founder of the Gary and Susie Singer Arts and Culture Foundation, believes that the creation of this position will enable the museum to better serve its community with more focus on the performing arts.
MoCA’s decision to create a director of performing arts position is a testament to the museum’s commitment to providing diverse and high-quality cultural experiences for its community. With Young’s expertise and the support of the performing arts committee, MoCA is poised to become a leading destination for visual and performing arts in the region.
