FotoFest, Inc.

2000 Edwards Street
Building C, Suite 2
Houston, Texas 77007

Phone: 713.223.5522
Fax: 713.223.4411
info@fotofest.org

FotoFest Office Hours 
Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm

facebook.com/fotofest
instagram.com/fotofest      youtube.com/fotofestintl

STAFF AND BOARD
FUNDERS

ABOUT US

FotoFest is a Houston-based contemporary arts organization co-founded by photojournalists Frederick Baldwin and Wendy Watriss. FotoFest is dedicated to advancing photography and visual culture through the presentation of exhibitions, public programs, and publications. The examination of social, cultural, and political histories and contemporary life through the lens of photography and related media is central to FotoFest’s mission.

In addition to the organization’s year-round programming, FotoFest organizes a city-wide biennial project in the form of large-scale central exhibitions, curated lectures, performances, a symposium, and film programs. The organization also hosts several professional development programs, including annually-held Meeting Place Portfolio Reviews, which host over 400 artists and 150 professionals working in the field of art and photography. Through its Literacy Through Photography program, FotoFest organizes K–12 classroom-based learning projects designed to encourage creativity and strengthen student writing, comprehension, and expression, reaching thousands of students. A platform for art and ideas since 1983, FotoFest is committed to promoting lasting international dialogue, cultural exchange, scholarship, and community enrichment by working with artists, audiences, academics, curators and influential figures in art, culture, and society.

MISSION STATEMENT

FotoFest's mission is to bring together a global vision of art and cross-cultural exchange with a commitment to social issues, community involvement, and the enrichment of cultural resources.

OUR HISTORY

FotoFest was founded in 1983 by documentary photographers and journalists, Frederick Baldwin and Wendy Watriss, and European gallery director, Petra Benteler. The first biennial, citywide Month of Photography was held in 1986 in Houston, Texas. The FotoFest Biennial has taken place every two years since the inaugural edition.

In 1990, FotoFest created its year-round education program, Literacy Through Photography, in collaboration with photographer-educator, Wendy Ewald. Literacy Through Photography serves a robust mix of Houston area classrooms, community centers, and after-school programs annually.

Also in 1990, FotoFest began a program of inter-Biennial traveling photography shows, international exchange programs, and publications. In 1999, FotoFest moved its office-gallery site to a restored downtown warehouse, Vine Street Studios, with exhibition space. In 2014, the FotoFest headquarters and gallery were relocated to Silver Street Studios in Arts District Houston, and have helped establish the area as a hub for art and artists in Houston.

The FotoFest Biennial and art programs are known as platforms for ideas and discovery, combining museum-quality art with important social and aesthetic issues. The Biennial exhibitions curated by FotoFest give priority to the works of important but under known photographic artists from the U.S. and around the world.

In addition to large-scale exhibitions, the FotoFest Biennial features a large portfolio review program for photographic artists, a film and video series, conferences, multi-media installations, a Gala Fine Print Auction, and scholarly full-color hardcover publications.

FotoFest supporters include private foundations; local, national and international government agencies; individual contributors, companies, and corporations. Earned revenue is generated through Biennial events, professional development programs, education fees, and fundraising benefit events. 

FotoFest is governed by a twenty-two member Board of Directors that includes Ms. Watriss and Executive Director, Steven Evans.