Levi Landis

Levi Preston Landis (born July 8, 1982) is an arts administrator, musician, manager and festival producer.[1] Since 2016, he has been the Executive Director of GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, the largest visual art center in the country.[2]

Levi Landis
Levi Landis at the 2011 Philadelphia Folk Festival
Born
Levi Preston Landis

July 8, 1982
EducationVillanova University
OccupationExecutive Director
EmployerGoggleWorks Center for the Arts
Known forPhiladelphia Folk Festival, The Center for Art in Wood
Spouse(s)Hannah Kern
Children1

Biography

After working as a touring musician, Landis graduated from Villanova University's MPA program.[3] Early in his career, he founded the community art center Emmaus, Inc, which renovated a large former Elks Lodge into a concert hall, thrift store, music school and bowling alley.[4]

From 2008 to 2014, he served as the executive director of the Philadelphia Folksong Society, nonprofit parent of the Philadelphia Folk Festival.[5]

From 2014 to 2016, a grant from the William Penn Foundation, funded his position as the first Director of Operations for The Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia.[6]

Landis moved to Reading, Pennsylvania in 2016 and became the Executive Director GoggleWorks Center for the Arts during its 10th anniversary year.[7]

Music

While his career has focused largely on arts leadership, Levi Landis was also a professional recording artist with the rock band Complete Circle (1994-2004) and a solo artist billed as Levi Landis and The Nobodys (2004-2008), releasing his most recent LP Something About Repairs in 2006.[8] In 2008 he moved to Philadelphia and began directing the Philadelphia Folksong Society (PFS). During his tenure, the Philadelphia Folk Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary, adding more contemporary acts, and growing attendance to roughly 14,000 visitors per day.[9] Landis added a beer garden with Yards Brewing Company and two additional stages to the program.[10] In 2012, the Philadelphia Folk Festival was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine top 19 summer festivals.[11] At the PFS, Landis also launched the Philadelphia Music Co-op,[12] programmed the annual 2nd Street Festival,[13] educational programs,[14] and fundraisers, including Doc Watson's final Philadelphia area performance.

After moving to Reading in 2016, Landis continued to produce events, including concerts in association with Reading Blues Festival,[15] Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest,[16] and Berks Country Festival[17]

Landis also continues to record and perform with musical acts.

Visual art

Landis first became involved in visual arts at The Center for Art in Wood in 2014, where he superintended the staff, oversaw operations, and developed new funds, including a large grant from the Windgate Foundation.[18] Landis oversees visual art programs at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, including seven large teaching studios in ceramic, hot and warm glass, jewelry, photography, printmaking, and wood; 35 juried artists’ studios, exhibition galleries, and an independent film theatre.[19] During his leadership, GoggleWorks was featured on national TV programs,[20] Huffington Post named the art center one of the top 18 reasons to visit Berks County.[21] He has focused on fundraising to drive new programs at GoggleWorks,[22] which include the A.R.T. program for disabled artists[23] and a new restaurant.[24] Landis has produced or curated over 25 exhibitions in various mediums.

Associated Projects
  • 2nd Street Festival, Philadelphia
  • Arts Festival Reading
  • Craft Now Philadelphia
  • Emmaus, Inc.
  • Floating Festivals
  • Furniture Society Conference Craft/Facturing
  • Old City Festival
  • Philadelphia Folk Festival
  • Philadelphia Music Co-op
  • We Need to Talk podcast

References
  1. "Different folk: A new marketing vibe for the Phila. Folk Festival". Philly.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  2. "GoggleWorks Center for the Arts names new director". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  3. "Levi Landis joins GoggleWorks Center for the Arts as executive director". bctv.org - Community Media for Berks County and Reading, Pa. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  4. "The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on June 27, 2007 · Page 24". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  5. LernerCorrespondent, Nathan. "Philly Folk Fest kicks off a new half-century". Montgomery News. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  6. "GoggleWorks gets new executive director | LVB". Lehigh Valley Business. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  7. News, 69 (2016-02-18). "GoggleWorks Center for the Arts hires new executive director". WFMZ. Retrieved 2018-05-01.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ♫ Something About Repairs - Levi Landis and the Nobodys. Listen @cdbaby, retrieved 2018-05-01
  9. "Folk Fest: Still singing at 50, burn ban lifted, wine now in Beer Garden (With Interactive Map)". Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  10. "Our Guide To The 51st Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, Returning This Weekend With Five Stages Of Live Music, Camping, Crafts And An Exclusive Festival Brew From Yards, August 17–19". Uwishunu - Philadelphia Blog About Things to Do, Events, Restaurants, Food, Nightlife and More. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  11. "19 Cool Summer Festivals". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  12. "Mt. Airy society spreading the gospel of folk music - Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA". Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA. 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  13. "Thousands Flock To 2nd Street Festival In Northern Liberties". 2013-08-04. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  14. "Philadelphia Folksong Society's outreach to students : WHYY". WHYY. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  15. "Berks Arts Council announces Reading Blues Fest; tickets on sale now! | Reading Blues Fest". www.readingbluesfest.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  16. "Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest Backstage Pass featuring Levi Landis | THE PEOPLE CHRONICLES". www.thepeoplechronicles.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  17. "Berks Country Fest announces 2018 lineup". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  18. "Philadelphia gallery gains $600,000 grant". Woodshop News. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  19. "Top Things to Do in Reading Pennsylvania -". 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  20. "'Kate Plus 8': Kate Gosselin on Collin Missing His Birthday". Us Weekly. 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  21. Yolen-Cohen, Malerie (2016-10-14). "18 Reasons to Visit Berks County PA - Reading, Kutztown and Boyertown - Now". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  22. News, 69 (2017-02-07). "Donations to help fund new initiatives at GoggleWorks". WFMZ. Retrieved 2018-05-01.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. "New program to help those with disabilities create art". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  24. "GoggleWorks in Reading to open restaurant and bar". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
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