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• Artist-in-Community (AiC)
• Syndicate 19
• Public Engagement

Programs & Services

Artist-in-Community (AiC) Program

Each Spring CIAC hosts an international visiting artist, activist, or citizen journalist for a period of 2-4 months. Each Fall CIAC invites an international artist living locally for a studio residency. Both Spring and Fall residents qualify to become a CIAC Fellow after their placement terms. A Fellow can live anywhere in the world and continue to participate in CIAC projects. Through this program we also provide technical assistance and project space to the artist's independent endeavors. Both AiCs and Fellows receive all the benefits of CIAC services including a range of public engagement opportunities, e.g. participation in lectures, conferences, gallery shows, and income generating activities, such as teaching opportunities through the Syndicate 19 community youth program.

Since CIAC is a member of the freeDimensional network, the Spring AiC is selected through nominations by other freeDimensional partner centers around the world. This allows CIAC's partners to participate in placements outside of their local area while at the same time providing CIAC with trusted referrals. The Fall studio resident is nominated and selected by a local New York City panel comprised of CIAC Steering Committee members and invited judges.

The Artist-in-Community Program accommodates visual, performing, literary and new media artists communicating on human rights issues. Resident selection is based on the urgency of an individual's situation; achieving a unique professional range; potential to contribute to a collaborative project; and achieving a diverse age, gender and regional make-up. The program seeks to increase awareness of human rights issues in the community through targeted youth and general public outreach.

Find out more about CIAC's Artists-in-Community.

Syndicate 19 Program

Syndicate 19 is an after-school cultural exchange and media arts vocation initiative in partnership with International High School at Prospect Heights. The program goal - based upon Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - is to realize the right to freedom of opinion, information and expression. Syndicate 19 empowers youth to become community activists and citizen journalists by teaching them to critically investigate their world, creatively capture the news around them, and syndicate their content through new web technology, while honing skills that prepare them for college and a variety of career paths. Youth participants have the opportunity to interact with and receive training from international artists, activists, and citizen journalists through the CIAC Artist-in-Community (AiC) Program.

In 2007, Syndicate 19 worked with the Bedford Academy High School to train students in environmental science, arts, technology, and literacy in order that they may inform and educate Bedford-Stuyvesant and the world at large about environmental issues affecting their community.

Public Engagement

Rider Project 2008 | June 12th, 2008

For more information, please RSVP to project.rider@gmail.com.

Immigrant Heritage Week 2008 | April 14-20, 2008

THERE TO HERE | April 19, 2008, 6pm-10pm
There to Here investigates the conditions faced by West Africans who immigrate to NYC through a lens of art and music. freeDimensional and African Cultural Center have joined together with Shrine World Music Venue to raise awareness of West African culture in NYC. The Shrine is at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (133-134 St). More info: call 212.690.7807.

OFF THE WALL: Celebrating Arts and Human Rights
March 17 - April 12, 2008

ART - FILMS - READINGS - MUSIC
BK Factory - Asia Catalyst - Global Hood
Ledig House/Art Omi - Katherine Dolgy Ludwig
Ismael Kamara - Doa Aly - Issa Nyaphaga

Casa Frela Gallery
47 West 119th Street, New York, NY 10026

More info >

Exhibition: CENSORSHIP, NYC

CENSORSHIP: An Exhibition Benefiting Artists in Distress was on view at the Brecht Forum in New York City, November 8th through December 6th. freeDimensional and L2EL ARTS brought together twenty-seven local and global artists who create art that fights back against systems which prevent free expression.

Coverage and additional links

• Event press release
• Opening Programme
• Flavorpill event listing
• Event photography
• Review: Zing Magazine
• Alternative Fuel Source blog coverage
• Podcast coverage of opening event
• Online art sales at L2EL ARTS

Magic Photo Studio, Harlem NYC

freeDimensional and Society Coffee presented Magic Photo Studio in Harlem, an exhibition of photography by CIAC Artist-in-Community Delphine Diallo in late 2007. New York City.

SHEER, NYC

SHEER, a sound and sculpture installation on the memory of loss by Emiko Kasahara, includes interviews with 47 CIAC stakeholders. SHEER opened October 5th at the Japan Society in NYC. Click here for more info.

RIDER Project at Magnolia Tree Earth Center, NYC

A RIDER Project truck installation was parked in front of the Magnolia Tree Earth Center on Saturday and Sunday October 13th & 14th, 2007, scheduled to coincide with the annual Bedford-Stuyvesant Artist Association (BeSAA) Studio Strut. Click here for the flier.

Tokyo Drift - Immigrant History Week NYC, 2007

Tokyo Drift opened on April 21.

Exodus - Immigrant History Week NYC, 2007

Exodus, a month-long exhibition of works by Bara Diokhane & Issa Nyaphaga.

Sonya Studio Stroll, NYC

On May 19 & 20, CIAC participated in the 2007 SONYA Studio Stroll, offering an open house and exhibitions.

Mystick Media Connection

"Mystick Media Connection" Exhibition & Live Performance, The Soapbox Gallery, Friday, June 29, 2007.

Big Baz'Art

"Big Baz'Art" Exhibition & Live Performance, Le Grand Dakar, Sunday, July 15, 2007.

Hattie Carthan Community Garden Food & Film Festival

Media That Matters, Bailey's Café, interrupcion* and CIAC partnered for the 2nd Annual Hattie Carthan Community Garden Food & Film Festival on August 18, 2007, NYC. Click here for the flier.