WHAT IS ART IF NOT MAKING COMMUNITY?

I'mstrong - living with MS (https://imstrongcommunity.com/) is a non-profit association with the primary mission to support and bring together people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Multple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects 2.9 million people that causes an immune system attack to the nerves leaving patients struggling to walk or talk.
The main goal of the association is to play a central role in assisting people with MS and their families and friends, and in managing MS strategies with a supportive online and offline community. The community of artists will play a central role in conveying another layer of understanding of the disabilities of a chronic disease and in communicating the value of being part of a community that stands at the margin. Moreover, thanks to the artworks we will foundries money directly dedicated to the community offering them an affordable price for medical services.

THE OPEN CALL

https://imstrongcommunity.com/OPEN-CALL

Through the open call, I’m strong team will select artists who will have the opportunity to participate in a one-day multimedia and multi-people exhibition in New York in May 2024. The event will be an opportunity to experience different forms of artistic expression thus creating a space for knowledge.

We are seeking for:

-        artists working in the disability studies field;

-        artwork of different media (photography, painting, video art, performance, sculpture, installation…);

-        already produced or new projects;

-        interests in being engaged in I’m strong community;

What we offer

-        A heterogeneous community: join a community of artists with diverse backgrounds and approaches, building a network of friends and colleagues.

-        Exhibition in NYC: showcase your art in a contemporary space in New York. Collaborate with like-minded individuals who share your passion for making a difference.

-        Installation Support: get assistance from an installation team on-site.

-        Production Support: the team will participate financially in the production or transport of the artwork.

-        Publication: pamphlet/zine in which will intervene art professionals, scientists, physiologists, art critics, experts and friends who will promote the understanding of MS and the connection between art and science.

-        The artworks will be part of the I’m strong archive and will circulate through contemporary spaces in the subsequent years. I’m strong archive will continue to grow year by year.

-        The artists will continue to be part of the community and of the event the association will organize to foundries money for the cause.

-        The chosen artists will exhibit together with other artists invited by the curatorial team.

The artworks selected will be donated to I’m strong community to raise funds for developing a comprehensive network of health services for people with MS.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: March 31st, 2024.

Application process

Please send to imstrongcommunity@gmail.com:
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Motivation letter (max 500 words)
- PDF portfolio (MAX 15 GB) or max 10 JPG of your work (MAX 1 GB EACH)

Results and next steps

We will inform you of the results within April 10th, 2024. We look forward to meeting you in New York. The second phase will involve collaborative work with the entire team.

Our Team

Federica Frazzitta is founder of Iovivolasclerosimultipla, a non-profit association based in Milan. She is founder of Flo Facory, a marketing and communication agency.

Arianna Sollazzo is an independent curator and researcher working on contemporary curatorial and artistic practices in the field of feminist new materialism and posthuman feminism.

Fabio Capuano is an independent curator and researcher expert in the connection between visual images and experimental music.

For info: imstrongcommunity@gmail.com