In an effort to responsibly curate community and activation during the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI is making #AES2020 virtual! We are still curating three days of art and conversation exploring issues of equity in and through the arts, and we hope to see you there.
Tickets are free and donations based, and you can register for VirtualAES2020 HERE.
Check out the spotlights below to learn more about some of the speakers who will be sharing their incredible work with the #AES2020 community.
Keynote Speaker Spotlight
Mark Charles is a speaker, writer, and consultant. The son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man, Mark teaches the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and Christendom in order to help forge a path of healing and conciliation for the nation. In 2012, Mark hosted a public reading at the US Capitol of the buried apology to Native peoples in the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill given by the 111th Congress. He is the co-author of the book, Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery, and he authors the blog Reflections from the Hogan.Mark is currently an independent candidate for the presidency of the United States.
Keynote Panel Spotlight
Born in Busia Kenya, Wallace is an experimental visual artist based in Nairobi. Wallace recently co-founded Kijani artist collective. Wallace uses an array of materials and techniques to visualize his message and thoughts. Most recently, Wallace won the ‘Manjano 2018’ first prize.
Yara is a queer Afro-Caribbean Puerto Rican mother, poet/writer, performer, cultural worker, and educator whose work addresses issues of origin, gender, race, and class. Recently Yara became a Brother Thomas Fellow and was published by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
Cindy is a former scientist and has been making art full-time for the past three years. Her work emphasizes experimentation and uses materiality to explore the dynamics of interaction and the tension of intermediate states, particularly with respect to societal transformations.
Edafe is an LGBTQ rights activist, Author of the book "BED 26: A Memoir" and the off broadway show BED26 Play. He is the ED of RDJ Refugee Shelter in Harlem and considers himself as a bridge. He has spoken to world leaders at the UN, educational institutions and Fortune 500 companies. As an openly gay and proud Nigerian, he and his partner live in the heart beat of NYC.
Nayda was born in Puerto Rico, migrating in 1990 to Florida. As a means of negotiating alienation she turned to the arts to explore her identity. Cuevas' passion emerged for unearthing a visual language to better articulate through visual artsher observation and/or interpretation of her Latinx American experience.
Live streaming of VirtualAES2020 Keynotes is made possible by HowlRound Theatre Commons. We remain incredibly grateful for their partnership!
During this trying time when the world is learning how to go virtual HowlRound is lending a hand on their knowledge and expertise!