With support from the California Arts Council, JOAN will pay a substantial portion of our annual staff salaries and rent, and subsidize artist fees and production costs for upcoming exhibitions and programs. This will allow us to more fully carry out our mission to provide a space for experimentation and for art that probes social and cultural norms. Since our founding in 2015 in the tradition of feminist alternative spaces, we’ve been producing programming that amplifies historically marginalized voices, and in the years since, have only strengthened our commitment to centering QTBIPOC communities in our work. JOAN occupies an essential role in the arts ecosystem of Southern California, and with the CAC’s support, will continue to uphold a high standard of programming, operations, and audience engagement.
While centered on a dynamic, rotating schedule of exhibitions, JOAN operates as a multidisciplinary platform presenting an active program of performances, screenings, and discursive events. These core programs are free and open to the public, expanding access to contemporary art and critical dialogue in Los Angeles.
A central component of our work is commissioning solo projects, which allows us to collaborate closely with artists, support the development of new work, and provide resources for ambitious, research-driven production. We are particularly committed to early- to mid-career artists, often partnering with them at pivotal moments in their trajectories.
In addition to supporting the Los Angeles arts community, JOAN draws on an international network to present globally engaged practices, fostering cross-cultural exchange and bringing diverse perspectives into local dialogue.