“Emerge” Showcases Local BIPOC LGBTQ+ Artists In The Medium of Film

The EMERGE ARTS COHORT AND SHOWCASE is a very unique collaboration between three local community non-profits: Northwest Film Forum, Velocity Dance and Gay City which allows BIPOC LGBTQ+ performing artists an opportunity to translate their live performance art skills onto the medium of film. Four local artists were selected by a jury of more established artists and given stipends, skills, mentorship, training and access to equipment to create short films showcasing their performance skills. Those artists are: Abdiel, Akoiya Harris, Zara Martina Lopez, and Brea Wilson and the curating council members for Emerge 2022 are: Dakota Alcantara-Camacho, Saira Barbaric, David Rue, dani tirrell, and Fox Whitney.

The results of this opportunity will be on showcased this weekend with The Emerge Arts 2022 Cohort and Showcase, a live, in-person screening of these films at Northwest Film Forum on Friday, May 27th and Saturday May 28th at 7pm each night. The screenings are free but it’s best if you reserve your seat at: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5354304

You can read more about each artist at the Velocity Dance website: https://velocitydancecenter.org/events/emerge/

Do note that NWFF is requiring masking and proof of vaccination:

NWFF patrons will be required to wear masks that cover both nose and mouth while in the building. Disposable masks are available at the door for those who need them. To be admitted, patrons ages 5+ will also be required to present either proof of COVID-19 vaccination OR a negative result from a COVID-19 test administered within the last 48 hours.

More about Emerge:

The Emerge Arts Cohort and Showcase is a film creation program for BIPOC LGBTQ+ performing artists that offers production support, artistic mentorship, and business and sustainability training. Five artists are selected through an open application process by a curating council of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ established artists in Seattle. Selected artists will receive mentorship and support to create a film translation of their live work, and a platform to share their work in a fully-produced, in-person showcase at Northwest Film Forum.

Along the way the curating council will act as mentors to the participating artists, supporting them through a series of artistic workshops designed by and for BIPOC LGBTQ+ artists. The workshops will address systems that prevent art from being created and accessed socially, economically, and mentally. In addition to this artistic mentorship, artists will receive support navigating barriers to social determinants of health from trained resource specialists.

Each selected artist will be paid a stipend to participate in the program, the goal of which is to holistically aid aspiring artists through educational and financial means, while providing access to tools and resources to help them best succeed.

Emerge is a partnership between Velocity Dance Center and Gay City, with community partner Northwest Film Forum. This program is funded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, 4Culture, Seattle PRIDE Foundation, ArtsFund and The Transgender Economic Empowerment Coalition.