VisArts’ F.E.A.S.T. 2023: Free, Open Call
deadline September 1
VisArts’ biannual F.E.A.S.T. (Funding Emerging Art with Sustainable Tactics) is a bridge between artists and the community. The program is inspired by F.E.A.S.T. in Brooklyn’s model for sustaining artist projects directly through community participation.
F.E.A.S.T. uses community-driven financial support to democratically fund projects that use art and creative thinking to impact the community. Funding for the project grant comes from the donations of attendees, who listen to and review a series of project proposals, and converse with the artists and thinkers behind each idea.
Attendees donate a minimum of $15 to purchase tickets. At the event, which takes place on VisArts’ Rooftop, they share a meal, listen to project proposals, discuss them with the presenting artists and thinkers, and vote for their favorite. VisArts awards a microgrant of up to $2,000 (100% funded by ticket purchases) to the artist with the most votes.
The grant awardee works on and implements the winning project over the next two years and gives a presentation on the completed project at the next F.E.A.S.T.
This year’s F.E.A.S.T. is focused on the concept of REMEDIATION, as a practice and site of remembrance. Remediation is defined as, “the action of remedying something, in particular of reversing or stopping environmental damage.”
Inspired by the mycelial network (mycelium are incredibly tiny “threads” of the greater fungal organism that wrap around or bore into tree roots; they form a network among individual plants to transfer water, nitrogen, carbon, and other minerals), we reflect on the possibilities of sharing resources so that everyone is nourished. In this shared economy, mushrooms center the idea of collective care when rebuilding from unequitable structures. Remediation is site-specific; it’s conscious of the damage done to its roots and takes into account a timeline of growth, decay, and the healing process.
In recent years, artists and organizers, such as Soul Fire Farm or SCRAP BMORE, have been adapting this system by creating tangible, holistic solutions to address the environmental crisis. They do this by recognizing the past and using what works – or rejecting what doesn’t – to create sustainable futures.
Our hope is to reflect on the definition and practice of remediation – what are the issues in today’s society that are in need of remediation? What is the role of art in service to remediation?
F.E.A.S.T. 2023: REMEDIATION encourages artists, thinkers, and organizations to expand their everyday practice and create project proposals that address the theme of REMEDIATION.
