An arts writing incubator, public programming initiative, & publishing platform that builds discourse around contemporary Black art.
Political Arts Writing is Back
Take Root Among the Stars
Mattaniah Aytenfsu’s work goes live in Seattle
Make Public Art Public Again
We commissioned Mattaniah Aytenfsu, new media artist/designer/engineer, to create work that is embedded in online ad space throughout Seattle. The work is a generative video series that draws on Octavia Butler, interrogates displacement, and is being beamed to residents in Seattle neighborhoods that trace an arc of racialized gentrification since the 1980s. Read more about Take Root Among the Stars.
The Brief — Print Edition
Get our new print newsletter
Public Art
Snail Mail to Feed Your Brain
We’re launching a print newsletter that thinks about art and arts writing as vital political practices. The Brief centers artists, critics, culture workers, and everyday people as political thinkers—as people whose words spark ideas and, just maybe, social change.
We’ll publish 3x/year and the first issue comes out in November. Learn more about how to get The Brief or go subscribe now.
New Merch
Designed by Diana Ejaita
Swag
New Things!
We have started commissioning black artists to design merch using one prompt: “You are having a black aesthetic experience.” This year, Berlin-based artist Diana Ejaita whipped up a hoodie, long-sleeve t, hat, and tote bag. Get your merch before we run out.