United States Artists and the Rainin Foundation hosted a virtual gathering of the inaugural Rainin Fellows: Margo Hall, Rodrigo Reyes, Amara Tabor-Smith, and Saqib Keval with Jocelyn Jackson of the People’s Kitchen Collective.
Don’t miss the conversation, held April 29, moderated by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, vice president and artistic director of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center.
International Deadline: July 29, 2021 – We invite you to apply to the 2021 Inverness Festival of the Arts, a fine art show Nov. 20-21, 2021! This festival is a signature event for the city and brings fine artists…
The past several years have certainly been times of political upheaval and uncertainty. From the chaotic turmoil that was Trump’s presidency to the scrambling of international governments to face the pandemic, the political landscape has been fraught with a series of strange events. One such event whose ramifications are still unfolding is Brexit—and in an attempt to look at some of the effects of this massive shift, new art show I Love You, Moi Non Plus is examining the new context of the UK and France’s relationship and the barriers this change has caused.
Irreverently taking its name from the grooving baroque pop hit ‘Je t’aime…moi non plus’ by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg (translating to “I love you…me neither”), the ambivalent mood of the collection is set from the get-go. Combining wit and grief in the works showcased, the artists have taken influence from both nations and made for a very pointed European melting pot in their works.
Organized by Somerset House and Dover Street Market, I Love You, Moi Non Plus, the collection is a primarily digital showcase featuring established and lesser-known artists from all across Europe. A limited exhibition is being held at space 35-37 in the district of Marais until June 10th.
‘ILYMNP’ by Susan; courtesy of Dover Street Market.
Included among the artists featured is legendary musician and producer Brian Eno. His contribution ‘Franglish Flag’ is a visually striking mash-up of the Union Jack and the Tricolore, bordered by the words “ENMESHED” and “ENTRELACÉ”. It’s a simple idea and a clean geometric design, but the positioning of the vibrant colours give a jarring sense of collision that strongly invokes the feeling of this confusing new context forced upon these neighbouring nations.
In their original statement, Somerset House made a strong appeal to the artists of Europe and highlighted their goals:
“Now more than ever, art and creativity are essential in helping us to build bridges and amplify the voices of people from all walks of life, and we want you to take part in the creative journey. Armed with your brushes, pencils, cameras, words or whatever you prefer, we invite you to create an artwork that describes what the relationship between the UK and France or the continent means to you.”
With so many aspects of the global political climate causing tension, fear, and hopelessness, I Love You, Moi Non Plus has given artists across the UK and Europe a chance to give voice to their woes. Art has always been the strongest form of expressing grief in a way to help others through the same tides. And while one exhibition may not bring down the walls the UK government has thrown up, it can at least reach between the cracks to meet the familiar hands outside.
U.S. National Deadline: June 17, 2021 – Opening for a sculpture teacher at The Putney School in June 18-July 25. Working with wire, plaster, wax, wood, stone, and welding desirable. $4500 plus room & board…
U.S. National Deadline: June 30, 2021 – The Gifts of Art Program is seeking submissions for solo and group art exhibits for the exhibition year. One of the first and most comprehensive arts in healthcare programs…
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation just announced Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY), a three-year, $125 million initiative to reactivate New York State’s creative economy and secure the future of its artists, according to the press release.
“Part of the state-led recovery plan for New York, CRNY is a two-part workforce initiative that will provide artists with either full-time employment opportunities or guaranteed income to remedy the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” explains the announcement.
In his most recent blog, Vu Le discusses ways in which white supremacy manifests in nonprofit and philanthropy.
When I bring up white supremacy in meetings or presentations, sometimes I get the feedback of “that’s a really heavy term. Is it really applicable to this situation? Can’t we just call it ‘inequity’ or ‘injustice’ or something that won’t turn people off?” We are a sector terrified of naming things, even as we seek to fight them. But how can we be effective when we refuse to name what we’re fighting? Besides naming it, we need to have a better understanding of what it is. White supremacy is not just the cross burnings and racist marches and other awful things we see in the movies. In nonprofit and philanthropy, it manifests in ways we may not even realize, or in ways we refuse to acknowledge as white supremacy. These things add up. They make whiteness the default. They keep power concentrated in white leaders and institutions. It makes it easier for injustice against racialized people and communities to take place.
U.S. National Deadline: July 4, 2021 – Highly regarded Upstream Gallery invites artists to submit pieces that involve the human figure. This will our third annual exhibition based solely on portraying the figure. Top jury…
For the month of June, GIA’s photo banner features work supported by Ana & Adeline Foundation.
This is the text Ana & Adeline Foundation submitted for this Spotlight:
Ana & Adeline Foundation is the active expression of artist Jana Napoli’s commitment to the vital role of the arts in human development and social justice. In 1988, Jana founded Young Aspirations/Young Artists – YAYA – a nonprofit design program for New Orleans youth.
YAYA has worked with thousands of artists, primarily Black teenagers with an eagerness to explore their creativity. Jana later established Ana & Adeline Foundation to complement YAYA with resources that support adult YAYA alumni. In 2015, the foundation launched scholarships, individual grants and professional development opportunities for alumni who represent a diversity of ages, career statuses, and disciplines in visual arts and design. During the pandemic, the foundation provided emergency relief grants – a total of $120,000 to 52 artists. Ana & Adeline Foundation is committed to the livelihood of artists and strives to support their unique circumstances and creative journeys.
More than three decades in the making, the YAYA community has a deep sense of how art connects them to one another. As Ana & Adeline Foundation reimagines our future, we work with artist Rondell Crier, who began serving as our inaugural Arts Leadership Fellow in 2019.
“Through a socially engaged artist identity, I practice visual art, serve in leadership, and work hands-on with community to transform lives and disrupt unjust systems. As a fellow, I create platforms that engage our community in participatory design and shared decision-making. Listening to the community’s voice is not just important, but critical in developing appropriate systems of social change. The foundation has traditionally valued artist input and recently opened more channels for shared decision-making at the leadership level. This is where change truly matters. What better way to manifest equity than to first look internally? Who created our systems? How can we create better systems – with community? Who are the experts? And how can artists support these endeavors?”
YAYA alumnus Rondell Crier was YAYA’s Creative Director 2001-2012. He lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he launched Studio Everything and continues to make art.
Ana & Adeline Foundation joined Grantmakers in the Arts in 2014.
You can also visit Ana & Adeline Foundation’s photo gallery on GIA’s Photo Credits page.
Image: Jourdan Barnes, Union, 2021 Photography, digital collage Jourdan Barnes is a scholarship recipient and grantee. He studied Fine Art and Psychology at Xavier University where he received his BA. He is an alumnus of the Joan Mitchell Center AIR program and has work that has been a part of Photoville Festival. Jourdan Barnes’s work aims to amplify the voices of Black people and their experiences. He is showing at Stella Jones Gallery in New Orleans and is a Content Creator for Cultura Creative.