A&E roundup: IMOCA’s new space; NBC’s Lester Holt to help pianists

A wrap up of recent developments on the A&E front:

—The Fountain Square-based Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art has opened its new gallery space at the Alexander Hotel. Easily accessible from South Street or through the hotel, the spot adds a variable component to the hotel’s permanent art collection, increases visibility—and floor/wall space—for IMOCA, and offers an attractive new location for Alexander Hotel events.

—The American Pianists Association announced that NBC News Anchor Lester Holt will serve as honorary chair for its 2014-15 Jazz Fellowship Awards. Featuring the largest cash prize in the world for young pianists, the APA competition builds through the year to the finals in March, 2015.

—Indianapolis City Ballet’s annual Evening with the Stars moved from September to November this year, which also meant a delay in announcing its titular stars. Among the possible highlight contenders: A new work from Stuttgart Ballet choreographer Demis Volpi for American Ballet Theatre’s Herman Cornejo and stepping-out-of-retirement Alessandra Ferri, former principal dancer with ABT, La Scala Ballet and The Royal Ballet.

—ElectricPond Theatre Company is officially a non-profit, having gained its 501©(3) status  after four years of producing.

—Colin Tuis Nesbit has been named gallery director for the Herron School of Art and Design. Nesbit formerly served as director of university galleries at Murray State University in Kentucky.

—Westin Clark, a Park Tudor sophomore, has been named by the President’s Committee on the Arts as one of five teen writers for the National Student Poets Program