A Studio Residency For Formerly Incarcerated Artists at the World Trade Center
This Spring, Silver Art Projects—a non-profit organization that supports overlooked artists—will open applications for its third round of year-long residencies, offering studio space at the World Trade Center, stipends and mentorships for disadvantaged artists. A quarter of the creatives chosen will be formerly incarcerated people. “It just made sense to bring in formerly incarcerated artists as a focused community that could be working alongside all the other marginalized communities we bring together,” says co-founder of the non-profit Joshua Pulman. Already, former artists-in-residence have had their work exhibited at MoMA PS1, using the medium to engage in social justice issues and provide support for life after prison. Learn more about the program and how it aims to help to deter mass incarceration at The Art Newspaper.
Image courtesy of Josh Katz/Silver Art Projects
The International Space Station Will Plunge Into The Ocean in 2030
Over 30 years after its 1998 launch, the International Space Station—which has been in low-Earth orbit and inhabited by astronauts from NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe) and CSA (Canada)—will plunge into the most remote part of the Pacific Ocean in 2030. It’s set for a splash-landing at Point Nemo, known as the space cemetery, which is “pretty much the farthest place from any human civilization you can find,” according to NASA. Interestingly, NASA will rely on the private sector for some of its exploration in the future, saying there are “plans to continue future space research by buying space and time for astronaut scientists on commercial spacecraft.” Read more at The Guardian.
Image courtesy of Stocktrek Images/Getty Images
Nearly 9,200 Tree Species Have Yet to be Discovered
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that there are roughly 73,000 types of trees on Earth and an estimated 9,200 of them are still undiscovered. A third of these unknown species are likely to be rare or endangered due to climate change. Combining data sources from the Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative and TREECHANGE, researchers created the world’s largest forest database which they then used to estimate the unfound trees. “By establishing a quantitative benchmark, this study could contribute to tree and forest conservation efforts and the future discovery of new trees and associated species in certain parts of the world,” says co-author of the study and Director of the Institute for Global Change Biology at the University of Michigan, Peter Reich. Learn more about this eye-opening discovery and how it can further climate justice at CNN.
Image courtesy of Emeric Fahlen/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Open-Source Blueprints Encourage Building Tent-Safe Heaters for Unhoused People
A Portland, Oregon-based entity known as HeaterBloc has released open-source blueprints with easy-to-follow instructions (in various languages) on building tent-safe heaters to distribute to people living without adequate shelter. Made with affordable and accessible components, they can be used for heating and cooking, and cost about $7 each to put together. The units are safe for use inside tents and other forms of shelter for hours, and if they are tipped over, the flame burns out and “with proper ventilation, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is minimal because isopropyl alcohol combusts cleanly.” The collective encourages people to build these heaters and give them away, telling VICE’s Motherboard, “Seeing the community that’s sprung up around this need and seeing people take real action to help houseless communities stay warm all over the country is incredible because this is literally saving people’s lives. That’s all that really matters.” While it doesn’t solve the issues that contribute to houselessness in the US, the project is helping those in need—and proving that we need to work as a community, rather than relying on the current, failing system. HeaterBloc members say, “Our desire would be that HeaterBloc would no longer be a need. Society would accept and care for all of its members, acknowledging that housing is a human right rather than just a luxury.” Read more about the collective (which accepts Venmo donations @HeaterBloc) and its mission at VICE.
Image courtesy of @javscatte
A Guide to Raising Venture Capital For Black Women
According to ProjectDiane, a biennial report on Black and Latina women founders, only 93 Black women founders raised $1 million or more in venture capital in 2021, highlighting the state of entrepreneurship for them. In an attempt to boost numbers, Insider spoke with 40 Black women founders to compile a guide to navigate the daunting landscape. This resource includes how to bolster pitch decks with useful data, strategize who to pitch by anticipating doubt, additional resources that other women relied on and the importance of building and finding a network or community. Complete with tangible examples andE input from these entrepreneurs themselves, this critical tool lays out helpful pointers for raising venture capital. Read the full guide at Business Insider.
Image courtesy of Diaundra Jones/Business Insider
adidas’ “Choose To Give Back” Program Rewards People for Recycling
While many people donate wearable items that are in good condition, there aren’t as many outposts for clothing and accessories that are no longer viable. In an attempt to decrease the amount of clothing that turns up at landfill sites, adidas partnered with online resale site thredUP to create an app that rewards people for donating their old gear. Apparel, accessories and shoes in any condition, and from any brand, are accepted. Individuals need only pack their goods into a bag or box under 60 inches and mail it with the prepaid shipping label. Then, adidas sorts through the donations to either reuse the materials or resell items. Users attain rewards for each item, including adidas Creators Club points, vouchers and more. Initially launched on the adidas app late last year, the program will soon have a wider release online and in stores. Learn more on the app.
Image courtesy of adidas
UK’s First LGBTQ+ Museum Will Open This Spring
After four years of planning and countless delays due to the pandemic, the UK’s first queer museum, called Queer Britain, is slated to open this spring. Occupying a historic space in King’s Cross owned by fundraising charity Art Fund, the museum will feature four galleries to showcase past, present and future queer stories as well as workshop and educational spaces. “LGBTQ+ communities have been crying out for this for decades, and it will be for everyone,” says director and co-founder of Queer Britain, Joseph Galliano. “I want people to be able to look back so that they can better understand who they are today and how we got here and so that together we can all imagine a best of all possible futures—and that is LGBTQ+ people as well as our heterosexual counterparts.” Learn more about this milestone at Dazed.
Image courtesy of Queer Britain
More than 270 years later, Handel’s “Theodora” Returns to Covent Gardens
When George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Theodora was performed at London’s Royal Opera House in 1750, it was snubbed; perceived at the time to be a blemish within the esteemed Baroque-era composer’s portfolio. In 2022, this is no longer the case. The now-praised composition is returning to Covent Garden after more than 270 years, with a modern-day feminist retelling produced by Katie Mitchell. Where the original drama was about Christian martyr Theordora under a despotic Roman regime, the new performance will see Theordora as a religious fundamentalist plotting against the Roman occupation. Sung in the 1750 English libretto by Thomas Morell, the revisited Theodora (on view now until 16 February) finally welcomes back the masterpiece. Learn more about it at The Economist.
Image courtesy of Camilla Greenhill
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on social media, and rounded up every Saturday morning. Hero image courtesy of Josh Katz/Silver Art Projects