Applications for Black Utopian Fellowship are NOW OPEN.

A PDF Version of the Questions on the Application Form is available for download HERE.

2023 THEME: PLEASURE

in the form of Programing/ Exhibitions/ Research/ Archives

“We have to make justice the most pleasurable experience humans can have.” - Adrienne Maree Brown

For this year's cohort we ask our fellows to propose projects that highlight practices of pleasure. A feeling of enjoyment but when truly realized - one of the most poetic forms of resistance. A state of pure ecstasy and unapologetic joy. Glee with the understanding of meeting needs beyond survival. 

We ask applicants to propose projects that unpack - the taboos of pleasure as a means of self expression of self identity and/or love. Bearing witness to the unraveling of gratification and its intricacies of these feelings. 

Some possibilities that applicants could consider, for example:  

• creating spaces that protect and celebrate the ritual of leisure pleasures like roller skating or getting one's nails done  

• focusing on how the practice of intimate pleasures sustains our psyches but also continues to populate into the future. 

These projects should be new, intention-based ideas that combine the theme along with an outward facing programming component. 

Some questions to help generate thought:

How does Black pleasure look?
How do we protect black pleasure in a utopia?
How do we navigate pleasure in 2023 via social media?
How does AI relate to pleasure?
The monetization of pleasure?
Pleasure vs Pain? 
Documentation of Pleasure?
Taboo of pleasures

Reading Examples

• Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Marie Brown

• Erotique Noire by Miriam DeCosta-Willis

• Mules and Men by Zora Neal Hurston

The Black Utopian Fellowship

The Black Utopian Fellowship is an incubator Fellowship created by #DayOnesArt in collaboration with Culture Push. The BUF is a year-long Fellowship for Black artists, researchers, scientists and inventors, with career development and mentorship through a connection with Black-run institutions. The intent of the Black Utopian Fellowship is to share resources and support social engagement, educational programming, and revitalization of communal hubs.

The Fellowship program is open to Black artists and other professionals working in any discipline who wish to expand the boundaries of their practice. Applicants are encouraged to review our organization’s mission before submitting materials as well as the specific nature of this Open Call. We will award The Black Utopian Fellowship to one applicant.

The Fellowship for Utopian Practice

The Fellowship for Utopian Practice is a testing ground for untested and new ideas that aim to create positive social change through civic engagement and horizontal learning opportunities. Through the Fellowship for Utopian Practice, Culture Push serves artists by providing creative, analytical, and logistical tools in the creation of truly transformative projects. Pre-existing performances, established projects, and fully funded works are not eligible to apply. Learn more about our Guidelines, and how to apply here.

Any questions should be addressed to buf@culturepush.org with the subject line “Black Utopian Fellowship Question”.

TIMELINE:

• September 25, 2023, 11:59 PM ET: Open Call deadline

• October 2023: Fellow is informed

• November / December 2023: Initial project discussion

• October 2023 - October 2024: Continuing support and strategizing

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must have at least 3 years of experience in their field. Currently enrolled undergraduate students may not apply. Projects must be new, socially engaged work that have not received any prior institutional support and occur within the five boroughs of New York City. Group or collaborative proposals are welcome.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

• Honoraria for the project ($2000)

• Fiscal sponsorship for additional grant-based fundraising and individual contributions

• Strategic meetings with Culture Push staff, including development and production support

• Access to Materials for the Arts

• Networking meetings with Culture Push Board, Executive Director, Staff, Advisors, and other Fellows

• Marketing via the Culture Push network, email list, and social media contacts for promotion purposes

• Mentorships with experts in the field

• An opportunity to contribute to or edit our online journal, PUSH/PULL

• An opportunity to present your research and project development at the annual Culture Push Symposium

• An opportunity to exhibit your work at a public presentation produced by Culture Push alongside past and current Fellows

• Culture Push does not provide a venue or exhibition space for projects, but we will work with Fellows to help secure suitable site(s).

CRITERIA FOR PROPOSED PROJECTS

To be considered for the Fellowship, projects must:

• Be interactive and engage the public (entirely or in part), in accordance with our mission. Note: Our definition of “civic engagement” includes public talks, live interactive components, skill-shares, participatory performances and similar activities that in some way address the public good and have clearly defined goals for serving as a means of generating social change.

• Test a new and previously unrealized idea that expands the scope of the applicant’s current practice.

• Not be considered as an exhibition or the production of a ‘show,’ but rather a series of events and/or actions aimed at engaging the public.

• Occur during the Fellowship year.

• Take place within the 5 boroughs of NYC (projects may have components outside of this geographic region, but they will not be supported by Culture Push).

• If your proposed project is part of a larger piece or series, Culture Push funding may only be applied toward the public engagement component of the project.

Yanni Young

BLACK UTOPIAN FELLOW 2022

PROJECT: COMING IN STORIES: CONVERSATIONS W/ BLACK LGBTQ ELDERS IN HARLEM

Yanni Young is a Black, queer, multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Harlem, NYC. Yanni grew up performing in plays, musicals, played piano for five years and attended a performing arts high school as a vocal major. Other mediums that Yanni has explored have been podcasting as well as documentary filmmaking. For two years Yanni had a podcast called "Soul Rebel Podcast" centering Black artists, healers, and grassroots organizers, allowing them to speak on their work and their life journey that led to where they are in the present. They currently intern for a Black jewelry brand based in Brooklyn by the name of Heavy Metals NYC. Yanni is also an administrative assistant and teaching artist with the LEAP program of NYC in Brooklyn. Learn More — >>