August 21, 2015

Call for Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Visual Artists!

Deadline: 11:59pm, Friday, September 11 2015.

We are looking for trans and gender non-conforming visual artists to collaborate with groups doing trans justice work, and create art for Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2015.

Participating artists will:
  • Be paired with grassroots trans justice organizations to create art for TDOR 2015 and to support the ongoing work of the organization
  • Be paid $575 for their work
  • Receive support and mentorship to create, share, print, and distribute their work.


HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following to art@forwardtogether.org by midnight, Friday Sept 11:
  • between 3 to 6 images of your work as JPEG image attachments. Art may be in any media including drawings, painting, collage, photography, stencil, etc. Please list the title, date, and medium of each piece. 
  • Tell us a bit about yourself and your art and why you would like to participate in this project. (One page or less)

This project is only seeking applications from artists who identify as trans and gender non-conforming. Trans and gender non-conforming people of color are especially encouraged to apply, and we welcome submissions from new artists, as well as those with more experience. Feel free to email art@forwardtogether.org with questions.

Chip in $5 to support our work in 2016 and beyond  >>
 
Background Information

We are in a state of emergency of violence against trans women of color, especially Black trans women. Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a day when many cisgender people take note of violence against trans people. But as Janet Mock wrote, “We can’t only celebrate trans women of color in memoriam. We must begin uplifting trans women of color, speaking their names and praises, in their lives.”

We believe that those most negatively impacted by oppression hold the knowledge and experience necessary to dismantle those systems.  Trans women and trans femmes of color live and resist at the center of many interlocking systems of oppression, including white supremacy, misogyny, transphobia, and homophobia. By supporting the leadership of trans women and femmes of color, we strengthen our movement for the liberation of anyone impacted by white supremacy, misogyny, transphobia, and homophobia – in other words, everyone.

Through powerful art and social media, this project aims to shift the focus of TDOR from trans “visibility” towards action for trans justice.

This project is organized by Strong Families – a national network of organizations fighting for the rights, resources, and recognition so that all families can thrive. Emerging from the reproductive justice movement, it is the largest network of its kind working at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality with over 150 partner organizations.