About CIAC
What We Do
The Center for International Art in Community (CIAC) is a pilot artist residency and community center in Central Brooklyn, which serves as the administrative office for freeDimensional's international network of artist residency initiatives. Located at the Magnolia Tree Earth Center, it partners with its gallery to introduce the local community to international artists in residence. CIAC provides artists, activists, and citizen journalists with residential and/or studio space for two to four-month periods; creates interaction with community youth through our Syndicate 19 program; and organizes programs with city-wide outlets that enable both artists and youth to promote their work and discuss their experiences, fostering awareness of human rights issues in the community.
In addition to local youth and its international guests, CIAC provides services to local artists focusing on global issues, international artists living locally, and community-based arts groups in need of project incubation space. These services include:
- Participation in curatorial opportunities, group shows, and open studios at the George Washington Carver gallery and through partnerships with other citywide artistic venues
- Use of the Hattie Carthan Community Garden for exhibitions/events, outdoor workspace, and relaxation
- Technical assistance to artists and organizations for project implementation
- Fiscal Sponsorship
People
Staff
Todd Lester
Executive Director
Over the course of 2006 and early 2007, Todd worked with Reporters Without Borders to establish its New York communications desk. In late 2005, he served as Katrina Relief Project Manager for FilmAid International, for which he designed and implemented the organization's first domestic and natural disaster response intervention. Before that, Todd was Information and Advocacy Manager for the International Rescue Committee in Sudan. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers University and is candidate for Doctorate of Public & Urban Policy at the New School for Social Research. (Founding Board Member)
Stefan Barbic
Managing Director
After receiving his MA from the Graduate Program in International Affairs from the New School, Stefan has been dedicated to including arts and culture in all levels of the development and nonprofit world. His work has ranged from project management in Douala, Cameroon to developing and running theatre based workshops in juvenile detention centers in New York City. Stefan has worked with freeDimensional since the Summer of 2006 and looks forward to working with them in the years to come.
Meral Agish
Artist Engagement Coordinator
After completing her undergraduate studies in literature and the history of art at Yale University, Meral returned to her hometown of New York City and has since worked on projects at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, the Jen Bekman Gallery, and the 2005 Istanbul Biennial. She is currently studying the social dimensions of architecture at the CUNY Graduate Center and collaborating on community art projects as the Outreach Coordinator for the Center for International Art in Community.
Arthur Bouie
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Arthur is currently working as a Web Designer/Developer, Human Resource Consultant and, Podcaster. He's an all around technologist, working with various enterprises to improve both their human and technological resources. He is currently working with Ad Hoc Art/Peripheral Media Project to build a community, art, and design space for East Williamsburg. He's currently finishing up his B.A. in Business, and holds four certificates in Computer Programming, Technical, and Network support.
Alisa Cooper de Uribe
Development Coordinator
Alisa is a freelance writer and translator living in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Holding degrees in English and Spanish, she has worked in the areas of both arts and education, providing translation services in the former, and fostering multi-cultural awareness in the latter. In addition to translating for various publications, Alisa currently facilitates an English-speaking conversation group for expatriates in Mexico City and maintains a blog about Mexico and its culture, alisacooper.typepad.com.
Board of Directors
Alexandra Zobel, Hugo Espinel and Todd Lester comprise the founding Board of Directors, which is supported by a 10-member Steering Committee during the first year of operation. Senior Advisors serve in a mentorship capacity. The full Board of Directors will be introduced in late 2007.
Hugo Espinel
Hugo Espinel is a documentary filmmaker. He is the director of Threatened, an intimate portrayal of five people whose convictions have caused them to live under the threat of death in Colombia. Hugo has produced several institutional documentaries in Colombia for the government, NGOs and other non-profits dealing with subjects such as protection for indigent children and exposés on the government's indifference to slums and shanty towns.
Todd Lester
See above
Alexandra Zobel
Alexandra is an adjunct professor of English at Brooklyn College. She has worked extensively with youth from coaching high school girls in standardized test preparation to creating and leading art appreciation programs for urban Latino youth. She is currently a New York Council for Humanities Fellow studying and leading discussions on the American work ethic in literature. (Founding Board Member)
NYC Steering Committee
DW Gibson
DW Gibson currently serves as Executive Director of the Ledig House International Writer's Colony in Hudson, New York, which is part of the Art Omi International Arts Center. As a writer, his work has been published in various literary journals including Oxford Magazine and Alaska Quarterly. He spent some time as an script editor and writer on documentaries for PBS, A&E Television Network, and MSNBC. Some of his credits include "Eugene O'Neill Biography"; "Lost Generation Biography"; "The Hate Network"; "Inside Alcoholics Anonymous". His children's novel, FUNDORADO ISLAND, was published by Random House in 2006. He is currently working on a novel for adult readers.
Matilde Damele
Matilde Damele is a New York based photographer since 1999. Her current project is "street photography" in New York as well as Brazil. Her focus is mainly to represent women in contemporary society independently from race, class and age differences. She's also developed a project on boxing. She's exhibited in the city and taught photography workshops in Manhattan and in Brooklyn for freeDimensional. Her work can be seen at: www.matildedamele.com
Emiko Kasahara
Emiko Kasahara is a multi-media artist. In addition to her writing and lecturing, Emiko has received awards from the New York Foundation for the Arts (US), Pola Art Foundation (Japan), the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan), Asian Cultural Council (US) and was artist-in-residence at Cartier Foundation (France) in 1991. Her current project, SHEER, a sound and sculpture installation on the memory of loss, is exhibited at the Japan Society in New York City from October '07 thru January '08.
Una Karina Harders
With her "songs without borders" programs classical singer Una Karina Harders performs songs from the Italian Renaissance to contemporary music, Broadway and Jazz. The soprano has given song recitals in cathedrals, concert halls, cultural centers, at festivals and galas all over Germany, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and Egypt. Here in NYC the German native has performed at New York's Lincoln Center, Flushing Meadows Park, the New York Public Library Recital Series and Eisenhower Park, among others, and has just been chosen for the Music Under New York MTA music series. Her own ensemble, the "Fruity Fruits Orchestra" (accordeon, vibraphones, viola and bass) accompanies her song recitals. Una has participated in a variety of performances with contemporary filmmakers, visual artists, writers and composers. She also teaches with great passion in her own voice studio in NYC.
Matthew Knouff
Matthew Knouff is an attorney, writer, musician, and elementary school tutor from North Carolina who currently resides in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. He received a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has since gained experience in both the public and private sectors in areas of law including litigation, criminal law, intellectual property, non-profit governance, international human rights, and corporate compliance and responsibility. As founder of the late Venge Records, an internationally distributed recording label and production company, he helped connect independent and under-resourced musicians with audiences around the globe. Matt has also drawn from his experience to help other entrepreneurs create their own media and arts organizations. As an advocate for community development and empowerment, he has worked with various groups including the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service; The Empowerment Project, a non-profit organization which help to democratize access to the media; JusticeWorks Community, a Brooklyn based non-profit that advocates for humane and effective criminal justice policies. In 2006, Matthew was recognized by the City Bar Justice Center for his commitment to volunteerism.
Jennifer Pritheeva Samuel
Jennifer Pritheeva Samuel is a Sri Lankan-American photographer and filmmaker based in Brooklyn. She is currently working on a film for PBS FRONTLINE on business and climate change. She is also shooting stills for Innocents Lost, a film about child soldiers in Sri Lanka, Colombia and DRC. In the past she has shot for Jazz at Lincoln Center, Central Park Summerstage and World Music Institute and worked on productions for PBS Frontline, Dance in America, ABC 20/20 as well as numerous independent films. Jennifer has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the island of Dominica. Her academic background in international and community development informs her interests artistically. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Music from New York University and a Master in International Affairs from the School of International & Public Affairs at Columbia University.
Antwuan Wallace
Antwuan Wallace is an activist-scholar who helps construct policy innovations with politically marginalized and economically stratified communities. He formerly served as Program Consultant for the Funding Exchange's (FEX) Media Justice Fund, where he coordinated efforts to organize activists, practitioners and analyst to elevate issues of equality and fairness within a social justice framework. He earned a B.A. from Hampton University, a MPA from Indiana University-Bloomington and is a doctoral candidate in Policy Analysis at New School University.
Ashley Josleyn French
Ashley is a Program Consultant with Advantage Testing in New York City, where she consults parents and students regarding appropriate educational programs and researches issues in standardized testing. Ashley received a Master of Arts in Sociology of Education (Policy Concentration) from Columbia University, Teachers College. She has been involved with the Shiloh After-School Program and Shiloh Mentoring Program for almost six years where she has taught classes, adapted curriculum, trained incoming staff, and been a teen mentor. Previously Ashley conducted research and documentation for New Visions for Public Schools for their Best Practices series on New York City public school programs for English Language Learners.
Giuliana Chamedes
Giuliana is a writer and teacher. She is doing a PhD at Columbia University on the history of human rights.
Ari Moore
Ari Moore is a queer vegan artist / activist, and one half of Brooklyn design and consulting partnership Shirari Industries. Her work has appeared in Bushwick Open Studios 2007 and in publications including Feminist Review, The Socialist, and the Indypendent. You can read her blog and see her work at shirari.com.
Shira Golding
Shira is an activist who does graphic design, film, music and writing through Shirari Industries, a creative and consulting services company serving activists, nonprofits and artists. After completing her first film, In Search of Golding Street, and graduating Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University she worked for Arts Engine for over five years, creating school curricula, co-directing the Media That Matters Film Festival and traveling around the country to screen films and speak about distribution, youth filmmaking and media justice. Her work has been featured in MediaRights.org, Brooklyn Museum, Bushwick Open Studios, and The Indypendent and she has worked as an editor and designer on award-winning films including Gypsy Caravan (Tribeca Film Festival, PBS) and Election Day (South by Southwest Film Festival, P.O.V.) . She is also on the board of MIX NYC, a queer experimental film festival. shirari.com.
Advisory Committee
Rudy Bryant
Rudy Bryant is Associate Director of the Pratt Center for Community Development. Mr. Bryant provides technical assistance to community groups throughout New York City. He serves as the lead planner preparing a neighborhood plan for Bedford Stuyvesant under Section 197(a) of the City Charter. Mr. Bryant is also an active part of the leadership of the Bedford Stuyvesant Physical and Economic Development Task Force established by Councilmember Al Vann and Assembly member Annette Robinson. Mr. Bryant grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Nancy Konipol
Nancy Konipol founded www.NYNonProfit.com, a nonprofit organization that helps smaller, lesser-known nonprofits gain the recognition they deserve. NYNonProfit handles the philanthropy of various Family Foundations and individuals. Nancy writes articles about the nonprofit sector in NYC published by various community newspapers. Nancy Konipol was honored by the Brooklyn Independent Democrats as 2004 Woman of the Year for her work with the City's nonprofit organizations. Nancy currently serves on the boards of Health People, an organization in the South Bronx that focuses on AIDS and Wild Metro, an environmental nonprofit that works to preserve unspoiled land in NYC; and as an advisor to FilmSpace, a project of Chashama. Additionally, Nancy is an acclaimed photographer; her work has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art as part of the "Life of the City Exhibit" and the Manhattan Borough President's office as part of "New York on My Mind." Nancy donates her photographic services to numerous nonprofits in New York City. www.nankoniphotography.com >
Suni Munshani
Suni Munshani was named Chief Executive Officer of Novitaz in January 2005. He brings to Novitaz a unique blend of venture capital and operations experience. As the General Partner of Persephone Investments, a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage technology and real estate investments, he set investment strategy and generated deal flow in technology services and software as well as enterprise software and services companies. More recently, Mr. Munshani founded Hammershine Capital Advisors, an incubator of hedge funds, following his work with Sofaer Global, a global macro hedge fund. www.novitaz.com >
Sondra Farganis
Sondra Farganis, PhD, Australian National University; Director of the Wolfson Center for National Affairs; formerly Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, The New School for General Studies; author of Social Reconstruction of the Feminine Character and Situating Femininism: Thought to Action, as well as articles on social theory in various journals and books; has also taught at CUNY, Vassar, and Hamilton.
Norris J. Chumley
Norris J. Chumley is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, producer, director, and writer, with a master's degree in theology and media from Union Theological Seminary. His work has been featured on PBS, NBC, ABC, A&E, USA, Showtime/The Movie Channel, HBO/Cinemax, and WNET/13. Born in Bloomington, Indiana, he graduated with a B.F.A., Magna Cum Laude, from New York University in 1981, in Film and Television, and went on to create hundreds of commercials, made-for-television movies, documentaries and specials, including Mark Twain's: The Diaries of Adam and Eve (for PBS American Playhouse), Getting the Love You Want (PBS, with Oprah Winfrey, Harville Hendrix and Helen L. Hunt), and The Gospel According to Jesus (HBO/Cinemax). Chumley's documentary Little Mike was recipient of the SONY/American Film Institute's Grand Prize in Video in 1981. His dance performance special, Grand Central Dances, was a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, and received the Emmy award for Outstanding Cultural Programming in 1986. He is currently a featured daily columnist for Beliefnet.com, and teaches at various clinics and churches including The Riverside Church in New York City and Kripalu Yoga and Health Center, in the area of health, spirituality and psychology.
Affiliated Projects
These independent projects are currently affiliated with CIAC:
Location
The Center for International Art in Community (CIAC) is located in the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Community Board 3, Central Brooklyn in New York City. We first looked at the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant to host an international artist residency because of its rich history of community development as well as its diverse make-up, feeling that a new community arts space would be a tool for positive social change.
Bedford-Stuyvesant is an international community with the combined assets of its diverse make-up. As with other urban communities around the world, the national and ethnic plurality of Bed-Stuy (and much of Central Brooklyn) can be attributed to the global economy. Whereas social exclusion, economic marginalization, and environmental injustice are reasons for migration (or immigration) these conditions often persist in the redefined areas that accommodate new citizens. This is compounded by a lack of local programs that engage with diaspora networks and social capital, transnational political affiliations, and hybrid aesthetics that characterize membership in one community as well as movement to another. CIAC seeks to fill this void and draws inspiration from its partner centers throughout the freeDimensional network.
Whereas CIAC responds to aspirations that arose through a local planning process in Bedford-Stuyvesant, CIAC programs may be developed in other neighborhoods around the world based on invitations and opportunities to create linkages among communities.
Learn more about work at ourpartner sites in Cairo, Sao Paulo, Pondicherry and Berlin.
