Modernism Week announced that it has named acclaimed writer, producer, broadcaster and architecture expert Frances Anderton to its Board of Directors. She covers Los Angeles design and architecture for print and radio and has served as a correspondent for the New York Times and Dwell magazine.
For many years Anderton hosted the “DnA: Design and Architecture” radio show on public radio station KCRW in Santa Monica. Prior to that she produced “To The Point” and “Which Way, LA?” hosted by Warren Olney, also for KCRW.
She recently completed the production of “Wasted: Neat Solutions to the Dirty Problem of Waste,” currently airing weekly on KCRW’s Greater LA. Anderton is writing a book, Common Ground: Multifamily Housing in Los Angeles, for Angel City Press. She co-produces independent podcasts including “Desert X” and “Rodeo Drive: The Podcast.” She also programs talks and events at the Helms Bakery District in Culver City and has curated exhibitions including “Sink Or Swim: Designing For a Sea Change,” about resilient architecture, shown in 2015 at the Annenberg Space for Photography.
Past books include Grand Illusion: A Story of Ambition, and its Limits about LA’s Bunker Hill, based on a studio she co- taught with Frank Gehry and partners at USC School of Architecture. She also wrote You Are Here, about the work of Jon Jerde, designer of Horton Plaza, Universal Citywalk and the 1984 Olympics. Her many honors include the Esther McCoy 2010 Award for her work in educating the public about architecture and urbanism from USC School of Architecture’s Architectural Guild. She was the SCI-Arc’s “Honored Guest” at its 2018 Main Event and received the 2020 ICON Award from the Los Angeles Design Festival.
“Frances has been a longtime ally of Modernism Week, and we are thrilled that she will now play a larger role on the Modernism Week board,” said William Kopelk, Chairman of the Board. “Modernism Week seeks individuals with a breadth of skills and experiences that add to the overall stature of our growing organization. We are honored that Frances will be able to lend her extensive expertise to our dynamic board.”
“I am honored to join the Modernism Week board,” said Anderton. “Having visited Modernism Week many times, both as a reporter and as a moderator of talks, I have witnessed the festival grow and flourish thanks to the passionate commitment of its board members, staff, volunteers and thousands of visitors. I look forward to now working closely with the other board members as we create compelling and inclusive programming for future festivals.”
Modernism Week is currently offering a wide range of interesting video programming, including tours and talks, that is available for viewing through February 28. In April, Modernism Week will offer many in-person events from April 8-18, 2021 along with a selection of online experiences.
