With an innate understanding of process and experience as problem-solvers, artists possess the skills, training, and vision to collaborate across sectors, stimulate dialogue, activate neighborhoods, and creatively respond to civic challenges.
The Interchange program is designed to strengthen individual artists in the M-AAA region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas) who have a history of impactful work with a socially-engaged creative practice by providing practice-based grant funding, professional development experiences, peer network access, and one-on-one mentoring. A program of M-AAA, the Interchange program is made possible through the support of the Mellon Foundation.
Interchange fellowships of $25,000 will be awarded to 16 regional artists in support of themselves and their socially-engaged creative practices. Fellows will participate in two professional development retreat weekends over the 18-month program. Working in small peer groups with the support of artist peer facilitators, fellows will explore their practices, goals, legal and financial strategies, and emotional-support structures. On-going support is provided throughout the program through quarterly 90-minute workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions. The program culminates with the fellows sharing their practices and ideas with the field through a Social Practice in Conversation open to the public.
Recognizing that there are a broad array of definitions and distinctions in the field commonly referred to as social and civic practice, Interchange uses the following broad definitions: