Common Field Miami 2016
Common Field, a national visual arts organizing network, with Miami arts organizations BFI (Bas Fisher Invitational), Cannonball, Dimensions Variable, and Locust Projects will host the annual Common Field Convening from October 20-23 in Miami, Florida. The 2016 Convening brings together 350+ local and national organizers to explore arts organizing in a time of accelerated capitalism.
Well-known for the hyper-luxury commercial market fueled by Art Basel, Miami is home to a robust network of artist and cultural organizations devoted to critical practice and experimental production. The 2016 Common Field Convening will connect national arts organizers and locals from Miami’s artist-run spaces and centers, alternative spaces, and independent artists’ projects at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. Convening topics will focus on how artist-run and artist-centered organizations survive and sustain in our current times, which require new practices for adjusting to rapid shifts in technological, environmental, economic, social and political forces.
The four-day program is designed to connect presenters and attendees through discussion, ideation, connection, and debate. Thursday’s Opening Ceremony includes a performance by Miami’s Dream Defenders and a keynote by Edouard Duval-Carrié. Sessions on Friday and Saturday are anchored by four thematic panels followed by a series of breakouts, talks, and workshops featuring a total of 120 presenters sharing ideas and insights. Panel topics include Art Making Under Accelerated Capitalism, Transitions: Evolving Organization Models, Gentrification + Sustaining Neighborhoods, and Critical Programs/ Critical Ideas. Attendees are invited to share their organizations and projects during lightning rounds, video interviews, and through the live research forum.
Evening festivities and events at Fountainhead and Diaspora Vibe After Party will bring the best of the Miami alternative art scene forward. Commissioned projects, screenings and performances feature local artists and collectives including Borscht Corp, Books Are Nice, Loni Johnson + Hattie Mae Williams, DJ Mack of Rhythm Foundation, Jillian Mayer, Miami Music Club with Jenna Balfe, Nice’n Easy (Allison Matherly & Jeffrey Noble), Kerry Phillips, and Serge Toussaint. National and international audiences will be able to follow via livestream, social media, archived vid eo content, and a digital convening report. Leading up to the convening, a series of essays commissioned and co-published by Miami Rail, Temporary Art Review, and Common Field will kick off reflections on convening topics for attendees and the field at large.
Tickets are $125 for Common Field Members, $150 for non-members. Tickets include breakfast, lunch and Saturday dinner highlighting Miami’s rich culinary heritage. Fifty-two scholarships have been awarded to local and national attendees. Tickets are still available but going fast—reserve yours today. Miami artists and organizers willing to share their couch or pull out mattress with organizers coming to town are kindly requested to share their availability on the facebook home-share page.
The 2016 Common Field Convening Miami is generously supported by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Knight Foundation, The Hemera Foundation, The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. Thanks to Common Field Council, Founding Members, and Members for their engagement, participation, and support.
The schedule of panels, breakout sessions, workshops, tours, and arts events, as well as tickets, are now available on the convening website.
