Announcing the 2020-21 Resident Artists

Kendra J. Ross of Bed-Stuy, Kearah-Armonie of Cypress Hills, and Courtnie Henson of Bed-Stuy represent 651’s inaugural cohort for The Neighborhood Project, part of the Artist As Resident Initiative.  In anticipation of 651’s return to live performances, The Neighborhood Project’s emerging Resident Artists will partner with small businesses within their neighborhoods to reimagine public spaces as homes for art-making and community engagement, culminating with unique live performances in March 2021.

About The Neighborhood Project

The Neighborhood Project supports emerging Black Brooklyn-based artists by partnering them with small businesses within their neighborhoods and reimagining these public spaces as homes for art-making and community engagement. As part of the program, The Neighborhood Project Salons are designed to impart specific skills and best practices to Resident Artists over the course of a four-month period from October 2020 through February 2021. Salons include facilitated conversations and networking opportunities with guest artists and practitioners, presenters, and artist partners. They are intended to support Resident Artists in both the development of original works created during this Residency as well as their short and long-term career goals.

Resident Artists will also work closely with Community Engagement Specialist Minkie English who will support them in crafting and tailoring engagement strategies most relevant to neighboring residents and most appropriate for the projects presented. This Artist As Resident Initiative program culminates in a public sharing/performance in March 2021.

The Neighborhood Project is curated by Brooklyn artist and activist Najee Omar.
It is supported by a Building Demand for the Arts grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.