WHAT IF WE MADE
A NEW WORLD

ENVISIONING A WORLD WHERE ARTISTS DECIDE PUBLIC POLICY

CLIENT: QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

Public Programs: Issues & Ideas, Social Justice, Democracy

ABOUT

What If We Made a New World was a cultural initiative in Queens, NY that presented 12 top artists, curated into three multidisciplinary teams, and commissioned to create new work that envisioned a world where artists decide public policy. The initiative was the centerpiece of QAX 2012, a month-long, borough-wide celebration of Queens’ global culture and cuisine. What If We Made a New World demonstrated the belief of curator Brian Tate that society is stronger when artists are seated at the tables where public policy is decided and reflected the interest of presenter Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer in building a Creative Citizens Class, where artists play an essential role in defining our socioeconomic priorities.

PROGRAM

Week 1: WHAT IF WE RE-MADE U.S. HOUSING POLICY?
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning | Jamaica, Queens

Queen GodIs: Womblessness
Ran Hwang: Dream House
Anna Lise Jensen: Residency
Carlos Martinez: Doors

Week 2: WHAT IF WE RE-MADE U.S. ECONOMIC POLICY?
Currency | Long Island City, Queens

Leslie Alfin: of values and verities - a self-governing, adaptive system of currency exchange
Theresa Byrnes: TENDER
Chanel Kennebrew: Ethical Exchange
Toshi Reagon: Aaaaaah Your Worry Ain't Like Mine/ I Believe I Believe I Believe

Week 3: WHAT IF WE RE-MADE U.S. HEALTHCARE POLICY?
Crossing Art | Flushing, Queens
Andrew D’Angelo: The Musical Brain
DJ Rekha: Healthcare Soundscape
Liza Jessie Peterson: Poopsie Ogletree, Urban Health Guru
Ocean Morriset: Self-portrait through cancer

PROJECT TEAM

Brian Tate, Curator
Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Executive Director, Queens Council on the Arts
Lynn Lobell, Deputy Director, Queens Council on the Arts
Jess Song, Project Coordination
Paula Henderson, Project Coordination
Sean Naftel, Art Installation Production
Celeste Balducci, Dining Initiative Management
Ed Marshall, Photography
Tom Concordia, Videography
Heng-Gil Hahn, Executive Director, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
Maria Boobis, Assistant Director, Crossing Art Gallery

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WHAT IF WE MADE A NEW WORLD