Rogue Art Research & Writing

RARW Podcast Three: Visual Aid

Anyone in the Bay Area knows that Visual Aid is a remarkable establishment.  Created originally in 1989 to help artists with HIV/AIDS, Visual Aid has since then widened its reach to include all artists with life-threatening illnesses.  Unfortunately, this organization will be closing soon, but RARW had the opportunity to see a show of artists from the organization before it closes.  Things Fall Apart, a collaboration between A Simple Collective and Visual Aid, was curated by Rhiannon MacFadyen, featuring artists CIA, Helen Bayly, Lauren Kelley, Gwen Mercado-Reyes, Susan O’Malley, Veronica Rojas and Lauren A. Toomer.

As a further follow-up on visual aid, we also got some information from Visual Aid Executive Director, Julie Blankenship.  She filled us in on her plans, “I’m planning to work on the Visual Aid archives project, which includes finding an appropriate permanent home for all of the visual and material, documentation and ephemera collected by the organization over the years. I’ll also be working on my own art and various curatorial projects.”  We also asked about other similiar organizations artists could look to for support in the gap left by Visual Aid, and Julie recommended the following:

(all are located in San Francisco, unless otherwise noted)

Center for Cultural Innovation – grants for artists for career coaching

Queer Cultural Center – important exhibitions during the Queer Art Festival every June, along with grants for artists to produce work for that exhibition

Artspan – Open Studios

Hospitality House Community Arts Program – art programs for homeless people and those with low income

Arts and Healing Network – online only at www.artheals.org resources listings related to art and healing

AIDS Emergency Fund and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund – emergency grants for people living with AIDS and breast cancer

Visual AIDS (NYC) – documents art by artists with HIV/AIDS, and gives grants for art supplies

NYFA (New York Foundation for the Arts, NYC) – great list of grants and other resources for artists

 

For our Podcast, we did an interview with Veronica Rojas, one of the artists in Things Fall Apart, and an amazing Berkeley artist.

This podcast also features guest commentary from Amber Stucke.

RARW Podcast Three