WE SUPPORT WORK BY ARTISTS OF COLOR THAT LOOKS INTO THE FUTURE
The Center for Afrofuturist Studies is based out of Iowa City art space Public Space One. For our second year of programming, we've invited three contemporary Black artists to Iowa City for intensive residencies: Justin Allen, Rin Johnson, and Jade Ariana Fair.
The theme of this year's residencies is ECOLOGIES, inspired by artist Martine Syms’ “Mundane Afrofuturist Manifesto” and the notion that “the most likely future is one in which we only have ourselves and this planet.”
We invite artists to immerse themselves in the Iowa City community. Through our connections to local organizations and audiences, we provide a relaxed but full experience for our artists-in-residence, who create exhibitions, artist talks, film screenings, workshops for low-income and marginalized youth, and informal gatherings––all free and open to the public. It is an opportunity for meaningful interactions, learning experiences, and a dialectical method for creating new thought and action.
But creating these opportunities takes resources! We're asking for your support to help make continuing this program a reality.
The first year of CAS (2016) proved successful for both the artists and our community (learn more about last year here). This second year continues the program in hopes of growing deeper roots and growing it into a lasting project. We have amazing artists and organizers in place––we just need the resources to make it a rewarding and sustained experience for all involved.
The nitty-gritty: Our annual budget for this program is approximately $12,000. This provides stipends, housing, and travel expenses for the artists, allowing them to focus fully on their work. It also funds studio and exhibition space for these artists, and materials for their public programs and youth workshops. We need your support to make this possible. Please chip in today!
What are the perks?
When you pledge to support this year's program, you can choose to receive a number of rewards, including postcards featuring the work of last year's artists, a CAS tee or tote, our brand new publication, or a hand-crafted item made by one of the folks behind the CAS.
Most importantly, your pledge contributes to our project of imagining new futures for marginalized peoples by generating safe work spaces for artists of color.
Thank you!
Risks and challenges
We have experience putting on this project. The real risk is funding falling short. We have energy and expertise behind the program and just need a community of people to believe in it and keep it alive!
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Funding period
- (30 days)