Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Greenberg.
Ellen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Art has always been my passion— from designing and sewing clothes for my dolls at seven years old to in my late 60s, starting a travel tour company specializing in art-themed journeys to Europe and Asia. In Philadelphia, my hometown, I was a fashion and interior designer; however, after moving to Los Angeles, my design efforts evolved into costume and production design for film and theater.
In 1985, I co-authored a pictorial, coffee-table book titled “Inside Chocolate” that was published by Harry Abrams, New York In 2003, I, along with a colleague, started Quick Culture, an art appreciation tour company that provides exclusive, private tours of The Getty, LACMA and MOCA. We are also an official event provider for Match.com. (which is a lot of fun and very rewarding).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Moving to Los Angeles from Philadelphia as a divorced Mom of two young children, it was challenging to start a new career and at the same time maintain my responsibilities as the sole support. Career-wise, I had no idea how difficult it was to break into the business and had to find innovative ways to stand out from the teems of other hopefuls. One of my efforts (which proved successful!) was to deliver to production companies a goldfish in a plastic bag along with my resume with a note that said, “Fishing for a job.” That got their attention.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Quick Culture – what should we know?
Quick Culture provides customized, private art tours in Los Angeles and travel to Europe and Asia. In February, 2019, we will be leading an art-themed, historical tour to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos entitled, “Insights into Indochina” which is limited to 10 people. The company started with just children’s tours which no one in LA was doing in 2003. When The LA Times published a 2-page editorial on Quick Culture, we realized that there was a genuine need for this specialized service. Our main mission (and it still is) is to make art a fun, enjoyable, attitude-free experience. Since then, we have added MOCA and The Getty to our museum venues. Additionally, our services now include adults, families and corporate clients. Besides our expert guides having degrees in art, they all have had museum-training at LACMA and The Getty.
I think what we are known for, and what we are most proud of (because it sets it apart from other museum-tour companies) is that we make art relatable whether we are highlighting a Renaissance painting or a Jackson Pollock abstract. Our tours leave people with a better understanding of how art can be both entertaining and an eye-opening window to history. We also ensure that many of the art techniques and artist observations we discuss can be applied when looking at other artworks from any museum. Quick Culture’s guides have toured many notables who range from Chief Judge Merrick Garland (President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee) to the rapper Dr. Dre and family to Max Getty, J. Paul Getty’s great-grandson.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Enthusiasm and accuracy.
Pricing:
- Our minimum is $150.00 for a one-hour tour for up to 6 people; additional people at $25.00 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: www.QuickCulture.com
- Phone: 310-800-6710
- Email: [email protected]
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