In-Person

A celebration of the workers who keep New York City moving. From now to the end of August, six of the banners will be on view at the 53rd Street Branch at the New York Public Library.

What is social practice, and how does it affect the ways we navigate our lives and make change in the world? Join faculty, staff, and students from Social Practice CUNY for a fun evening hosted by Catherine LaSota, as we celebrate the launch of Part of the Practice, our new podcast about the role of socially-engaged art in our communities and the current moment. Enjoy food, music, special giveaways, and more — and meet some of the guests from our inaugural season. Let’s revel in the end of the summer together. This is a party you don’t want to miss!

(POSTPONED, NEW DATE TBA) Open House for the Dark Laboratory, a climate research lab at Hunter College led by SPCUNY Faculty Fellow Tao Leigh Goffe. RSVP required. Learn about new initiatives related to racial and climate justice.

Save the date 9/21 (rain date 9/28) for a one night only showing of CABARET CHISPAS, a cosmic urban parable about South American Indigenous leaders + activists + organizers from NYC gathering in 2023 at CASA MISTICA (Alicia’s house in the Bronx) for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Come join us as we occupy third-space and put on a guerilla outdoor production with a live fire, shadow puppets, live music, DJ, and so much more.

The myth of the artist working alone in the studio overlooks the contributions of many uncredited workers involved in the production, circulation, display, and maintenance of artworks. To highlight their contributions, participants—including academics, practitioners, and art workers—will share their experiences and explore historical practices across various facets and geographies of the art world. SPCUNY Co-Director Gregory Sholette is among the speakers.

Join Gregory Sholette, Ph.D. and Jennifer Jones for a discussion about the role of art in political and social movements and how art can function as a site of resistance and a tool for societal change. This conversation will explore some of the themes of his most recent book, "The Art of Activism and the Activism of Art," such as the concept of "dark matter" in the art world, the dynamics between institutionalized art and grassroots activism, and the evolving role of artists in contemporary social struggles.

Join Social Practice CUNY Co-Director Chloë Bass, James Lowry (Professor and Chair, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies), and Daniel Pravit Fethke (Co-Producer, we turn to time) for a special single-channel screening of Bass’ film project we turn to time. The screening will be followed by a talk-back between Bass, Lowry, and Fethke about artists working in archival processes.

What Else? is a series of co-created solidarity economy themed comedy shows. the shows will hold a practice of shared laughter as we answer the questions: what can the solidarity economy offer us, after and instead of capitalism, humorously, breathfully? how can humor make the solidarity economy compelling, inviting, appealing? what's funny and beautiful about it?

Three Asian American-led East Coast hardcore punk bands—No Model, Material Support, and Dog Breath—join forces for an epic showcase. Lyrically, these groups create music that addresses generational trauma, racism, war, social justice, and liberation in service of opening a conversation about the state of the punk scene and the use of the genre to assert fully empowered Asian American narratives rooted in anti-colonial resistance. Their work embraces the struggle of every person raging against oppression and inequality, both at home and abroad.