Bringing Together Community and Creativity: The Bronx Museum's AIM Biennial
The seventh iteration of the Bronx Museum's Artist in the Marketplace (AIM) program kicked off this Friday, January 23rd, with a biennial exhibition that celebrates the work of emerging New York City artists. The nine-month seminar-based program has been running for over four decades and has helped numerous artists develop their careers while fostering a community within the industry.
Curators Nell Klugman and Patrick Rowe highlight the uniqueness of AIM in its focus on building early career skills, setting it apart from traditional residency programs that prioritize studio space or education. This emphasis on professional development is crucial for artists navigating the often isolating creative profession.
One such artist is Brooklyn-based performance artist Asia Stewart, who participated in the 2024 AIM cohort. Her installation at this year's biennial, "the money is in the blades," featuring a tattered American flag and a monitor, explores themes of community and connection. For Stewart, the program was transformative, offering insights into building a sustainable life as an artist in unaffordable New York City.
The seventh AIM Biennial, titled "Forms of Connection," serves as a meta-expression of its theme. By gathering artists from different disciplines and backgrounds, the program encourages genuine relationships among cohort members. This communal approach has been instrumental in shaping the exhibition's diverse range of works, which will remain on view through June 29th at The Bronx Museum.
With free admission for all ages, this biennial promises to be an engaging experience that celebrates the power of community and creativity. As Klugman notes, programs like AIM "paved the way" for similar initiatives, addressing the growing need for artist support in New York City's increasingly unaffordable art scene.
The seventh iteration of the Bronx Museum's Artist in the Marketplace (AIM) program kicked off this Friday, January 23rd, with a biennial exhibition that celebrates the work of emerging New York City artists. The nine-month seminar-based program has been running for over four decades and has helped numerous artists develop their careers while fostering a community within the industry.
Curators Nell Klugman and Patrick Rowe highlight the uniqueness of AIM in its focus on building early career skills, setting it apart from traditional residency programs that prioritize studio space or education. This emphasis on professional development is crucial for artists navigating the often isolating creative profession.
One such artist is Brooklyn-based performance artist Asia Stewart, who participated in the 2024 AIM cohort. Her installation at this year's biennial, "the money is in the blades," featuring a tattered American flag and a monitor, explores themes of community and connection. For Stewart, the program was transformative, offering insights into building a sustainable life as an artist in unaffordable New York City.
The seventh AIM Biennial, titled "Forms of Connection," serves as a meta-expression of its theme. By gathering artists from different disciplines and backgrounds, the program encourages genuine relationships among cohort members. This communal approach has been instrumental in shaping the exhibition's diverse range of works, which will remain on view through June 29th at The Bronx Museum.
With free admission for all ages, this biennial promises to be an engaging experience that celebrates the power of community and creativity. As Klugman notes, programs like AIM "paved the way" for similar initiatives, addressing the growing need for artist support in New York City's increasingly unaffordable art scene.
I love how this program brings out the best in these young artists! It's amazing how it can create a sense of community and connection among creatives. I mean, think about it, most people wouldn't get to see so many different styles and mediums come together in one place. The fact that they're supporting each other, sharing their skills and knowledge... it's really something special 
I'm so stoked to see the Bronx Museum's AIM Biennial bringing together talented artists and fostering a sense of community! It's amazing how this program has been helping emerging artists develop their careers and build meaningful connections with fellow creatives 
. I mean, free admission for all ages is cool and all, but is that really what we should be focusing on? Don't get me wrong, community and creativity are awesome, but can't we just focus on creating something actually good instead of having a big ol' party to celebrate it? 
And what's with the emphasis on "forms of connection"? Sounds like just another buzzword 
. I'm all for supporting artists and stuff, but can't we do that without making a whole exhibition out of it? 
. It's so important for emerging artists like Asia Stewart to have a supportive community behind them, especially when navigating the ups and downs of making a living as an artist in NYC 
️. The fact that it's free admission for all ages is just amazing - makes me want to take my kids there ASAP! 
. And who doesn't want free admission for all ages? Genius move by the curators!