Just a year after declaring bankruptcy, Gen Art is back. Gen Art announced that it has been acquired by Sandow Media and its first 2011 event will be the 16th annual Gen Art Film Festival in New York.  This year the festival will run in June.

With its acquisition by Sandow Media, Gen Art is proud to announce it has relaunched under new leadership with an exciting slate of events and programs.  Sandow Media acquired the beloved organization whose expertise in experiential and event marketing engages consumer audiences and aligns brands organically with emerging talent in film, fashion, music and art. Sandow Media announced today longtime Gen Art senior executives Elizabeth Shaffer, former SVP, Events & Creative Director and Jeffrey Abramson, former SVP, Film will now serve as the company’s Co-Presidents. 

Gen Art’s first 2011 event will be the 16th annual Gen Art Film Festival in New York which celebrates North American emerging filmmakers. The Festival’s unique format showcases the New York premiere of one short and one feature film each night followed by an after-party. This year the festival will run in June. The film submission and review process is currently under way and selections will be announced in mid-May. In 2010, the festival’s opening night presented Josh Radnor’s happythankyoumoreplease starring Radnor, Malin Ackerman, Zoe Kazan, Pablo Schreiber and Kate Mara, which opens in theaters on March 4th.  

A calendar of Gen Art signature events will be announced in the coming weeks. One highlight will be the Fresh Faces in Fashion program which launched in 1995 and has become the largest and most credible presentation of rising fashion designers in the U.S. Press, industry, celebrities, and Gen Art supporters will converge in September during New York Fashion Week to see the work of fashion’s next rising stars. In past years Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Phillip Lim, Vena Cava, Twinkle, Geren Ford and dozens of other influential designers have made their debut with Gen Art.

“Gen Art is a unique organization that understands the value of experiential marketing and uses this expertise to support emerging talent by introducing them to a savvy consumer audience,” said Adam I. Sandow, CEO of Sandow Media. “Marc Lotenberg, Founder & President of 944 magazine, introduced me to Gen Art and his passion and support for the organization was instrumental in orchestrating this acquisition. I immediately recognized that Gen Art’s innovative approach was a perfect fit for our organization. Sandow Media is thrilled to work with Elizabeth and Jeffrey as they lead Gen Art into the next chapter.”

Founded by Ian and Stefan Gerard in 1994, Gen Art has a 16 year history of cultivating an extensive following of loyal consumers who view Gen Art as arbiters of emerging talent. Gen Art programming and events are specifically designed to cater to the interests and passion points of their audience. Their formula for success is creating a mutually beneficial relationship between up-and-coming talent, brand partners and influencer audiences. Gen Art is an expert at working with brand partners to create impactful one-of-a-kind integrated marketing programs that speak to their highly coveted demographic. Gen Art has a long history of working with a variety of prominent brands including Acura, American Express, BlackBerry, Citibank, JetBlue, Kenneth Cole and W Hotels. 

“We are thrilled to be at the helm of Gen Art’s relaunch,” said Co-Presidents Elizabeth Shaffer and Jeffrey Abramson. “We are deeply vested in Gen Art’s mission and passionate about preserving its core values. Sandow Media’s resources and innovative vision will provide us with a stronger foundation and allow us to further enhance the way we serve our artists, audience and partners.” 

“There are no two people more capable of leading Gen Art into its future endeavors than Elizabeth Shaffer and Jeffrey Abramson,” said Ian Gerard, former Gen Art CEO who is acting as an advisor on the relaunch. “Elizabeth and Jeffrey truly understand the organization’s legacy and believe in Gen Art’s core – advancing the careers of promising artists.”  

Gen Art will announce its new membership plans in early spring.