Read Our Latest Consider Culture Blog: The Legacy of Zexor
Tribute to Zexor and Acne by #spotkms @kms_crew for @booneavenuewalls. Photo by Ana Candelaria.
This powerful blog by art writer Vittoria Benzine explores the life and legacy of Zexor, a Bushwick-born graffiti artist whose bold tags and outspoken ethos left an indelible mark on New York’s street art scene. More than just a tribute, the piece traces how Zexor’s work reflected the cultural shifts in his neighborhood, from the roots of hip hop to the impact of gentrification. Stories from friends and fellow writers reveal how his influence continues in murals, memories, and the ongoing dialogue around street art’s place in the city.
Read the full piece here.
Art & Social Innovation Podcast: Episode 2 Out Now
2024 Brooklyn Arts Awards. Photo by Redens Desrosiers/Réx Camera.
Podcast Credits:
Executive Producer: Brooklyn Arts Council
Producer & Narrator: Mai-Elka Prado Gil
Guests: Rasu Jilani & Jeremiah Ojo
Audio Production & Editing: Kyra Assibey-Bonsu
In the second episode of Art & Social Innovation, Brooklyn Arts Council Executive Director, Rasu Jilani, sits down with Jeremiah Ojo, Senior Fellow and Facilitator of BAC’s inaugural Social Innovation Fellowship. This five-month pilot program, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, brought together a dynamic cohort of artists, nonprofit leaders, and cultural strategists to explore how creative leadership can drive systems-level change.
More than a professional development opportunity, the Fellowship became a space for community-rooted experimentation, guided by masterclasses from some of Brooklyn’s most visionary cultural leaders. In this reflective conversation, Rasu and Jeremiah unpack the program’s origins, its impact, and its promise as a scalable model for social innovation.
This episode is more than a look back. It is a call to action for funders, policy makers, and impact investors who believe in the transformative power of cultural ecosystems.
Listen here.
GARAGE GIVEAWAY: FREE ART SUPPLIES, FURNITURE & MORE! 🎉
Brooklyn Arts Council is moving out of our DUMBO office and we’re giving away a wide range of items free to a good home!
We’ve got art supplies, furniture, office equipment, and more up for grabs. Come by and take what you need.
Pick-Up Times at 20 Jay Street, Suite 616, Brooklyn, NY 11201:
Thursday, July 17 from 3pm - 6:30pm
Friday, July 18 from 10am - 1pm
Sunday, July 20 from 12pm - 4pm (by appointment only)
Please bring your own bags, boxes, or containers and arrange your own transportation.
Can’t make those times?
Appointments are available through Monday, July 29. Contact us directly to schedule a visit.
Keep an eye on @bkartscouncil for sneak peeks of the inventory in the coming weeks!
BAC Grantee & Partner Events
Artifact No. 17 - An Experimental Music Series
Artifact is a 2025 BAC Grantee.
July 15 | 7pm | 251 Bushwick Ave, BK
Artifact No. 17 showcases an evening focused on electro-acoustic performance, free improvisation, and experimental ambient. This month's iteration features the performers MV Carbon, Ben Shirken, and as.dB + Andy Pitcher. Artifact is a monthly experimental music series curated by Brian Wenner and Matthew Ryals.
Stoop Stories: Intergenerational Storytelling Workshops
Stoop Stories is a 2025 BAC Grantee.
July 17 | 1pm | 463A 7th St, BK
Stoop Stories and the Five Boro Story Project invite you to join us for 2 intergenerational storytelling workshops! Join us for a story circle that brings older adults and youth together to share and preserve life stories and listen to one another. We will respond to prompts about our childhood memories, cultural reflections, neighborhood changes, belonging, and of course stoops! We will then facilitate a discussion reflecting on the stories participants told, identifying connections across generations. We are seeking 5-10 older adults (60+) and 5-10 youth (16-26) to participate in two workshops on July 17 and July 24, 1-3pm. We ask that you attend both workshops. Some workshop participants will be filmed in a short documentary film this summer or fall. This is part 1 of 2 workshops that build on each other. Refreshments will be served! This program is generously funded by Citizens Committee for NYC.
Divine Times Collective: Film Night POW Fest Pre-Event
Divine Times Collective is a 2025 BAC Grantee.
July 31 | 5:30pm | Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue, BK
Join us for a special screening of Soul to Soul, the iconic 1971 documentary capturing a historic Pan-African concert in Ghana celebrating their independence and featuring artists like Ike & Tina Turner and Roberta Flack. After the film, stay for a panel discussion with therapists and social workers exploring healing, identity, and diaspora. Food and drinks provided. Free and open to all!
Volunteer with Divine Times Collective at POW Fest!
Divine Times Collective is a BAC Grantee.
Aug 14 & Ongoing | Multiple Times | BK
Join Divine Times Collective on Sunday, August 17th at POW Fest (Pan-Afro Wisdom Festival), a free, all-ages festival centered on inner-child healing, cultural exchange, and community connection. Rooted in diasporic joy, POW Fest brings together therapists, cultural practitioners, and artists to play and intergenerational connection through performance, workshops, and interactive installations. We’re seeking volunteers to support this powerful day of collective healing and celebration. Shifts run between *9am–8pm*, and internship opportunities are also available for those interested in ongoing involvement from June until August.
Events, Workshops, & Professional Development
Summer Lunchtime Jazz Concerts
July 1 - 22 | Brooklyn Borough Hall - Columbus Park Plaza, Court St and Remsen St, BK
Have lunch by the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall, every Tuesday in July from 12:00 to 1:30 PM, for a free jazz concert by some of Brooklyn’s most renowned jazz legends.
BPL Creative Aging: Unleash Your Inner Artist
July 9 | 16 Brighton First Rd. at Brighton Beach Ave, BK
BPL’s ‘Unleash Your Inner Artist’ program invites Older Adults to explore the vibrant world of acrylic painting over nine weeks. Each session is designed to build upon the last, from foundational techniques to the nuances of personal expression. Participants will explore various themes and topics, such as still life, landscapes, and portraits enhancing their skills and confidence.Beyond the canvas, this program aims to foster a sense of community and belonging, encouraging social engagement through art.
Join to discover not just the joy of painting but the joy of connection.
No experience necessary. Supplies will be provided.
Learn More
Carter Burden Gallery: Opening Reception
July 10 | 548 West 28th St, NY
Carter Burden Gallery presents two exhibitions: Who What Where features the representational work of fourteen gallery artists in the East and West Galleries and The Kitchen Sink and The Octopus Brain a large-scale work on linen that explores the transition between control to intuitive being by Sue Koch.
Floating Freely: Queer Archives & Media from the Elders Project
July 12 | Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue, BK
Join us at Weeksville Heritage Center for Floating Freely: Queer Archives & Media from the Elders Project, a half-day celebration of Black and queer history including a film screening, workshops, music, food trucks, and a panel exploring the questions of freedom, inheritance, and belonging.
Floating Freely is inspired by interviews conducted by J Wortham for the Baldwin-Emerson Elders Project, which captured 230+ oral histories with minoritized elders across America. Wortham’s collection dives into queer waterfront histories in and around New York City. The Elders Project was created by award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson and produced in partnership with Incite Institute.
This event is free and open to the public, and will coincide with Weeksville Green Farmers & Community Market, our annual farmer’s market focusing on Black foodways, urban growing, diasporic memory, and community built through food at every stage.
Pioneer Works Second Sundays
July 13 | 159 Pioneer St, BK
Since 2013, Pioneer Works has hosted Second Sundays, a free monthly open house. Highlighting our programs, artists-in-residence, and Red Hook community members, Second Sundays features open studios, exhibitions, workshops, live music, and food—with programming across all three floors and in our garden.
Flatbush Avenue Street Fair
July 13 | Parskide Ave to Cortelyou Rd, BK
The Flatbush Avenue Street Fair will take place on Flatbush Avenue from Parkside Ave to Cortelyou Road.Join us for plenty fun, rides, shopping, food, and giveaways!
Presented by the Church-Flatbush Community Alliance and Meteor Festivals.
Disability Unite Festival
July 13 | Naumburg Bandshell, Terrace Dr. Near, W 72nd St, NY
Celebrate Disability Pride at Disability Unite Festival 2025! Come together with friends and family virtually on this website, or in-person at the Central Park Naumburg Bandshell in New York City to celebrate community, and commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
For virtual participants, the Disability Unite Festival will be livestreamed and continue to be offered on this website with all access accommodations for those unable to travel or not located in NYC.
Greenwood Cemetery: Grieving & Weaving
July 14 | 500 25th Street, BK
Stitching together creativity and community, this knitting and crocheting group is unique for one reason: it meets in a cemetery. Whether you’re an expert with yarn or just starting out, you are welcome to join us as we share stories, skills, and grief resources in the comfort of Green-Wood’s Modern Chapel. As we create together, we’ll talk about the significance of handmade items in both our personal and collective histories.
The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Creative Entrepreneur INFO SESSIONS
July 15 & 17 | Virtual
Calling all creative entrepreneurs! Join us for an upcoming info session and learn how The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Creative Entrepreneur Program can help you explore, launch and level up your business!
BAX 2025 Drag Summer Arts Program
July 21 - 25 & July 28 - Aug 1 | BAX Annex, 80 Hanson Place, BK
In this week-long summer arts program at BAX, teens will explore the colorful and transformative art form of Drag through the principles of drama and creative movement.
Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25: Ages 11 - 14
Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1: Ages 14 - 18
Taught by Kelindah bee Schuster at the new BAX Annex, located in Downtown Brooklyn's Cultural Arts District. With a focus on self-discovery, community connection, and the power of Drag as a tool for social change, this program offers a joyful and affirming space for all.
Participants will dive into dramatic play, character work, authentic expression, and community connection as they create unique drag personas. Using tools like facial expressions, body language, costume choices, and the art of lip syncing, students will build skills to bring their personas to life.
*This program centers queer and trans wisdom and is open to all teens ages 11–18 who identify as queer, trans, gender-expansive, fluid, curious, questioning, or in allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to express yourself, connect with others, and embrace the magic of Drag!
Opportunities
The Public Theater: BIPOC CRITICS LAB
Deadline: July 7
The Public Theater is thrilled to announce a new partnership between cultural critic Jose Solís’ BIPOC Critics Lab, Critical Minded, and The Public Theater. After successful cohorts for the past two years, The Public is honored to continue Solís’ commitment to creating an educational space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) writers in the realm of cultural criticism.
Gibney Dance: Open Interval
Deadline (extended): July 7
A pioneering partnership between Gibney and the New York City-based Simons Foundation, OPEN INTERVAL is a collaborative choreographic residency focusing on research and process to explore the connections between science and dance. In its fourth year, Gibney and the Simons Foundation invite New York City-based emerging and established choreographers to an open call. Two selected choreographers will be provided with studio space and financial support, and paired with scientific researchers over a period of 10 months, to conduct focused research related to the basic elements of their practice through exchange, dialogue, and collaboration.
NYFA RAUSCHENBERG MEDICAL EMERGENCY GRANTS CYCLE 31
Deadline: July 8
The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need* who are creating in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts, and choreography.
A4 Arts Fund
Deadline: July 11
The Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) is proud to launch the A4 Arts Fund, a new national grant initiative supported by The Wallace Foundation and in partnership with the National Arts Regranting Partners. This program aims to explore and advance equitable grantmaking practices in the creative sector, with a focus on supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) arts and culture.
The A4 Arts Fund offers general operating support and cohort-based engagement to under-resourced arts and culture organizations that support and uphold AAPI communities. Eligible organizations must have annual operating budgets of under $500,000. Through an open application process, A4 will award $500,000 in total funding, granting $25,000 each to 20 organizations across the country for a one-year period.
Poetry Society of NY & Milk Press - Open call
Deadline: July 31
Splash into Milk Press — submissions are OPEN! We are currently seeking submissions of poetry, visual art, and hybrid works for our Summer 2025 issue!
AXS FILM FUND
Deadline: July 31
While this program is intended for creators in documentary filmmaking or nonfiction new media who identify as living with a disability, particularly those from underserved communities, we welcome applications from all creators regardless of background. Each year we award up to five creators with grants of up to $10,000 each to assist them in completing their projects in any stage of production.
We fund:
Feature length documentary films (45+ minute runtime)
Nonfiction new media projects, with a film/video component
New York Live Arts’ Fresh Tracks Residency & Performance program
Deadline: August 10
A season-long residency for emerging movement-based artists in support of new work creation and professional development.
Four artists will be selected through an in-person interview style audition process. The residency includes:
An Artist Fee of $5,000 and 50 gratis studio hours to support the development of a 15 minute performance work.
Professional development workshops led by renowned professionals from the field.
Live Core Artist Membership
Guidance from choreographer Juliana F. May, as Artistic Advisor.
Support from New York Live Arts’ communications, development, production and programming staff towards a fully-produced shared program in New York Live Arts theater.
Strong Rope: Open Call for Artists
Deadline: Rolling
If you are a local artist or know someone who would like to display their work in our Red Hook and/or Gowanus taprooms, let us know! We love to highlight local creativity, be it in the form of painting, photography, etc.
We are currently booking artists through the rest of 2025 for First Fridays Monthly Art Installation programming.
Asian American Writers' Workshop: Call for Submissions
Deadline: Rolling
The Margins seeks pitches and submissions to Open City, its journalism section devoted to chronicling the pulse of Asian America. Through articles, features, interviews, and profiles, Open City covers Asian immigrant and Muslim communities with an emphasis on social, racial, and gender justice issues.
Since its inception in 2010, Open City has told the lived stories of Asian communities in the boroughs of New York City. Starting in 2025, we are expanding our coverages to cities and towns all over the United States.
We welcome shoeleather reporting, hybrid essays, personality and place profiles, features, narrative storytelling, and … you get the drift.
We pay all writers and translators.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts: Emergency Grants
Deadline: Rolling
Created in 1993 to further FCA's mission to encourage, sponsor, and promote work of a contemporary, experimental nature, Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists and poets who:
Have sudden, unanticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding
Incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates
Emergency Grants is a year-round, multi-disciplinary program that offers immediate, project-based assistance to artists living and working anywhere in the United States, for projects occurring in the U.S. and abroad.
Each month FCA receives an average of 100 Emergency Grant applications and makes approximately 15-20 grants in the range of $500 to $3,000 each. Applicants may request any amount in that range and, if granted, may receive full or partial funding. The average grant is currently $1,900.
The Creative Center: Hospital Artist-in-Residence Program
Hospital Artist-In-Residence Carmen Rios at BronxCare Health System, Family Medicine, and her art cart.
Deadline: Rolling
The Creative Center's Hospital Artist-In-Residence (AIR) Program serves patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare staff in the New York City Area and beyond. The 10 current Hospital AIRs serve over 3,000 patients each year at multiple hospital sites and develop supportive relationships with countless staff and caregivers. AIRs are professional artists trained by The Creative Center to work in a multitude of healthcare settings.
JFNY Grant for Arts & Culture
Deadline: Rolling
This program provides support to non-profit organizations in the U.S. that organize projects that will further the understanding of Japanese arts and culture within the 37 states east of the Rocky Mountains, plus Washington D.C.
Successful projects generally take the form of performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops. This grant also supports online projects related to Arts & Cultural Exchange that incorporate issues pertaining to the COVID-19 global pandemic such as virtual exhibitions, virtual performances, film streaming, online conference as well as webinar. Priority will be given to those projects that have secured additional funding from sources other than the Japan Foundation, as well as projects that take place in areas where access to Japanese cultural events are relatively limited.
Art On Loop & New York Open Art: CALL FOR ARTISTS
Deadline: October 28
This is a unique and extraordinary chance for artists from every corner of the globe to showcase their work to an international audience. Whether you're an emerging artist or an established one, this exhibition is a platform for all forms of artistic expression—from painting and photography to video art, sculpture, mixed media, poetry, and beyond!
The Theme: OPEN!
There are no limits to what you can submit—this is your opportunity to express your artistic vision in the way that feels most authentic to you. Submit your work that reflects your creativity, passion, and style!
Resources
NYFA: Best Practices for Applying to Documentary Grants
Navigating documentary grants can be overwhelming, especially for emerging filmmakers. This article, the first in a three-part series, cuts through the noise, offering practical strategies to make your application stand out. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or refining your pitch, these guides will help you craft a stronger proposal and create stronger impressions.
But let’s be real, there’s no magic formula. Documentary filmmaking is tough, and the field is packed with talented storytellers. This series won’t guarantee funding, but it will give you the tools to sharpen your pitch, clarify your vision, and set yourself up for success. The key? Persistence, adaptability, and a story that only you can tell.
The Laundromat Project: Black Women Temporal Portal Guidebook
An interactive, open access archive of the Black womanist temporal technologies Black women, girls, gender non- conforming, and non-binary people have developed to ensure our quantum future(s) and uncover our ancestral space-time configurations for survival in the present.
What We're Reading
“The Enduring Legacy of ’80s Harlem Drag Balls”
by Isa Farfan | Hyperallergic
“Brooklyn’s Haitian Diaspora Share Their Truths in Vivid New Art Exhibit”
by BK Reader Staff | BK Reader
“Brooklyn mom launches little libraries with big purpose”
by Olivia Seaman | Brooklyn Paper
“Primary Election Results For Brooklyn Voters”
by BK Reader Staff | BK Reader
Cover Image: L Train Brass Band, 2025 BAC Grantee. Photo: Daniel Beadle.
Empowering Artists. Empowering Communities.
The arts are a lifeline to sustain wonder, inspiration, healing, and a sense of community in our lives. Please join Brooklyn Arts Council in our mission to empower Brooklyn artists and arts organizations that bring life and joy into our home borough.