Who we are
Monira Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution, functions as a radical experimental laboratory, working in close collaboration with artists, curators, musicians, dancers, producers, and writers to conceive, realize, and present innovative projects in all media. Its aim is to spark, intensify, and promote an evolving cultural and social dialogue between creators, audiences, and institutions. Focusing on the unique potential of interdisciplinary work in a context distinct from the distracting pressures of academia and the market, Monira Foundation advances the practices and products of today’s foremost artists, amplifying their contributions to communities both local and distant.
Mission
Our mission is to expand the reach and quality of art available to the public through residencies, exhibitions, and public programs that address urgent and ongoing community needs, particularly as these needs evolve and change.
Vision
Through our vision we champion the creation and understanding of art and its unique and vital contribution to society. When, as now, creative individuals and collectives are under political and economic distress, undertakings such as Monira Foundation assume an even greater significance, becoming resources and advocates for artists in ways that reflect their inestimable societal value.
Values
At our core, we value:
Our constituents – Artists, Institutions, and Patrons
Dialogue – As the catalyst to innovation and understanding
Community – As a place for encouragement and opportunity
Where We Are
The Monira Foundation offers programs and events virtually and at two partnering locations: 888 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306 & 2233 S Throop St, Chicago, IL 60608
Our DEIA statement
The Monira Foundation recognizes that equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts, but historically, one culture has been dominant at the expense of a greater multitude of humanity. We are committed to reversing this inequity by embracing an ethics of inclusion. Centering the voices and experiences of BIPOC, LGBTIA+, women, and artists with disabilities sits at the heart of Monira Foundation’s collaborations with artists, performers, dancers, and writers. In our mission to expand the reach and quality of art available to the public, we strive to remain nimble in order to provide an environment where everyone has full access to a dynamic creative life, and hold ourselves accountable as we continually scrutinize our own programs and services, challenging and reforming any structural inequities that would hinder such a framework.
