The Critical Fierceness Grant
The Critical Fierceness Grant
The Critical Fierceness Grant
***********************************************A micro-grant for queer art in Chicago
Twice a year since 2008, Chicago-based individuals or groups needing funds for artistic purposes, and who identify themselves or their work as queer, have been awarded financial assistance of up to $500 via the Critical Fierceness Grant, a micro-grant funded by Chances Dances’ monthly parties at the Subterranean, Danny’s, and the Hideout. The Critical Fierceness Grant is an opportunity for personal exploration, community-building and radical change through art.
We’re thrilled to announce three awardees for the December 2010 grant cycle: Oli Rodriguez, Hey Guys (Kellen Alexander and Seth Dodson), and Fawzia Mirza!
Project info:
Oli Rodriguez // The Papi Project
image from “The Papi Project” at olirodriguez.com
The Papi Project investigates a simultaneous absence of Rodriguez and his father, a sex worker and also a participant in the gay hook up culture of the late 70s, 80s and 90s. Using public collaborative performances and video, Rodriguez will recontextualize himself as his father and reenact his sexual encounters as a transfag, while also photographing the contemporary remains of Chicago’s gay clubs, bars and hook up spots from the same era, using vintage consumer-grade film.
Kellen Alexander and Seth Dodson // Hey Guys
image from “Jimothy & Steak” promotional poster
In producing a sketch comedy derived from life experience and populated by queer characters, Hey Guys will bring queer visibility to the straight-dominated comedy stage on their own terms. By doing this, Hey Guys spreads the idea that while gay people are magnificent, fabulous and extra special, they are still a part of, and not apart from, society as a whole.
http://vimeo.com/groups/23953/videos/13325671
Fawzia Mirza // Bollywood Heroine Drag Performance (as yet untitled)
image from “Fair & Lovely” video at fawziamirza.com
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Congratulations to all our winners, and many thanks to all our many deserving applicants for their creative work and contributions to the Chicago queer community.
The next deadline is June 30th, 2011!
– Team Chances
(Rita Bacon, Allison Burque, Aay Preston-Myint, Erik Roldan, Ethan White, and Latham Zearfoss)
The Winter 2011 Critical Fierceness Board
(Davey Ball, Jacqueline Boyd, Vea Cleary, Alicia Eler, Kristen Kaza, Nick Wylie, and Katie Zien)
