Year in review
As the year draws to a close, we at the Monira Foundation take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude and reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve shared. Your unwavering support has been the cornerstone of our success, and it’s with great excitement that we recap the milestones we’ve achieved together.
2023 has been a year of forging deep connections, uniting the diverse programming of the Monira Foundation with our extraordinary global community. We’ve witnessed the growth and evolution of our initiatives, reaching new heights in artistic collaboration and cultural exchange.
A pivotal achievement this year was the overwhelming response to our third Open Call, doubling the number of applications. We’ve had the privilege of working with a talented group of artists, bidding farewell to the 2021-22 cohort – Rowan Renee, Shihori Yamamoto, Ariella Granados, Hoàng, Amelia Saul, and Heechan Kim – and welcoming our new cohort, which includes Nobutaka Aozaki, Cy Morgan, Pol Morton, Li Wang, Courtney Mackedanz, and Anna Kunz. Our next Open Call, slated for May 2024, promises even more opportunities for artistic growth and exploration.
This year alone, we’ve orchestrated 14 exhibitions, offering 64 artists a platform to showcase their work. Our collaborative efforts have spanned across the United States, partnering with esteemed institutions and foundations, each contributing uniquely to the rich tapestry of our artistic endeavors. Including SKIRA, New Jersey Council for Humanities, Visual Arts & Technology Department at Stevens Institute of Technology, EFA Studios, School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Cranbrook Academy of Art, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, Lithuanian Foundation, Experimental Sound Studio, AYN Foundation, Nomad Common, Landmark Club, Nimbus Art Center, Firmament Gallery, and the Chicago Architecture Biennial.
Our alumni have graced prestigious venues such as Museum of Arts and Design, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, National Portrait Gallery, Jane Lombard Gallery, the Freie Universitat Berlin, Gladstone Gallery, Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, Alexander Gray Associates, Patron Gallery, Edith Farnsworth House, Whitney Museum of American Art, Chicago Riverwalk, Esker Foundation, Chicago Architecture Biennial, The High Line, and more.
The heartwarming success of our fundraising event was a testament to your collective generosity. Thanks to your contributions, we raised over $20,000, half of which directly supported the talented artists in our auction. We extend our deepest thanks to our sponsors, hosts, and every individual who contributed to making this event a resounding success.
Our accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of NEA, NJCH, MFTA, JCAC, and our other partners. Their belief in our mission has been instrumental in our success.
As we bid adieu to 2023, we eagerly anticipate the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. With all of your help ,we can continue our mission to inspire, intensify, and advance a dynamic cultural and social discourse in the arts. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Thank you once again for being part of our community. We wish you a season filled with joy, inspiration, and artistic wonder.
Warm wishes,
All of us at the Monira Foundation
