Open Engagement 2018
Our Time: Dinner Conversation on Equity in the Arts
Hosted by Antonio Serna, artists of Color bloc
Co-Sponsored by A Common Project
Co-Sponsored by A Common Project
Saturday, May 12, 2018
7:00 - 8:30 pm
at Kurry Qulture
36-05 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
For our next dinner conversation, we are inviting artists 👬, cultural workers, sociologist, city workers, and supporters 👫 of the movement to reflect on where we are today. Over the past five years, artists and workers of color have gained prominence in all areas of the cultural landscape. Similarly, in almost every decade since the 60s, there has been an uptick in these cultural opportunities, only to return to business as usual a few years later. We should, however, remain optimistic that real change is here to stay.
*Wheelchair Accessible*
*Kid-Friendly*
*Vegetarian Options*
Facebook Event Page:
Open Engagement 2018:
About the Location:
OUR TIME Dinner Host & Guests
Dinner Host:
Antonio Serna
Antonio Serna is a Mexican-American artist, activist, and independent researcher. Antonio is currently focused on the history of art and activism of people of color and their efforts to end discrimination in all levels of New York’s cultural institutions. As a member of Arts & Labor, Artists of Color Bloc, and recently The People’s Cultural Plan, Antonio has advocated for equity in New York City’s cultural budget suggesting that artists and workers of color receive an equal share of the budget in terms wages, jobs, and artist’s resources. Above all, Antonio believes in importance of cultural self-determination and socio-economic justice for people of color. Antonio Serna holds a Masters in Fine Arts from Brooklyn College, and a BFA from Parsons School of Art.
ARTIST & COMMUNITY FUNDING:
Cornelius Byrd
Artist/ Creative Advocate
Cornelius's personal history, deep ties to New York City and passionate advocacy of and participation in various art forms qualifies him as a unique and insightful voice for panels and directors. His roles as a artist and creative advocate are connected, recognizing the necessity of creative expression for both individual and communal well-being and development. With both himself and his community, Cornelius is devoted to creating space for this expression.
Layman Lee
Neighborhood Development & Placemaking Manager
Layman Lee is the Neighborhood Development & Placemaking Manager at Brownsville Partnership / Community Solutions working to improve the built environment and neighborhood health through the lens of art and design with residents and creative experts. Previously she was the Creative Director at ORE Design working on projects such as transformations of vacant lots in Brooklyn into small business incubators and community space with shipping containers, an emergency jacket to aid the homeless and a modular lighting system using clear PVC. She gained hands on experience with large art installations at Fung Collaboratives where she helped construct the massive snow and ice sculptures designed by artist and artists teams including Tatsuo Miyajima and Tadao Ando, and Anish Kapoor and Future Systems. She has traveled to New Mexico to help realize the SITE Sante Fe Biennial: Lucky Number Seven, and most recently to Atlantic City as Project Director for ARTLANTIC, a project aimed at transforming the vacant lots through public art with the landscape design firm Balmori Associates and artists. In her free time, Layman is a multidisciplinary artist and designer working in the belief that every project should be equitable, innovative, and foster positive social and environmental change.
CULTURAL WORKERS & DIVERSITY PLANS:
Noé Gaytán
Brooklyn Museum, Senior Museum Educator
Noé Gaytán is an artist, educator, and activist based in Brooklyn. He is a member of Michelada Think Tank, a collective engaging in issues of racial and cultural equity in the arts, an educator involved in the field of museums primarily through his position at the Brooklyn Museum, and a current Engaging Artist Fellow at More Art.
Jackie Du
Teaching Artist for Museum of Arts and Design's Arts Reach Program
Jackie is the co-founder of the Young Artist Zine Alliance, a free art-making workshop for NYC teens at City College of New York. She was a School, Youth and Family Programs Fellow at the Brooklyn Museum, has taught at Arts in Action Visual Art Program in NYC, and has also been a teaching artist for Young New Yorkers in Brooklyn, NY. She is also an educator for the Museum Teen Summit in New York City.
EQUITY LEGISLATION & CONSULTATION:
Monica Montgomery Nyathi
Strategic Director Museum Hue & Independent Curator
Monica Montgomery is a cultural entrepreneur, curating media, museums and memory to enhance creative inspiration. Monica is the Founding Director of the Museum of Impact leading MOI in working within communities to amplify grassroots movements, at the intersection of art and activism thru a creative lens. As a museum anarchist, she remixes the museum experience, interpreting diversity, creativity and community, to bridge past and present through the lens of legacy. Her thought leadership converges at the intersection of public programs, visitor experience, marketing and arts administration. She believes museums should be in service to society, and she speaks and consults with institutions along the eastern seaboard.
Anne Rhea Smith
Director of Diversity, Events and Caribbean Affairs, Office of Senator Jesse Hamilton, New York State Senator, (D) 20th Senate District
An adaptable team player with 20 years management experience in the Arts (non-profit), community relations, cultural diversity and corporate partnerships. Expertise in media management/sponsorship, government affairs, and special events. Proven ability to manage staff and inter-departmental relationships, ensuring deadline compliance. Proficient in utilizing social media and traditional advertising platforms by creatively negotiating inventory to increase visitation and awareness; Results oriented, self-driven, strategic thinker and communicator.