Our inaugural Creative Capital Carnival on June 30, 2022 was an epic celebration of artists, freedom of expression, and our care for our community. We had a blast discovering never-before-seen artist projects-in-progress, making new connections, and dancing past the Statue of Liberty at sunset! It was our most accessible and inclusive artist gathering in our history—creating both in-person, outdoor, and online opportunities experiencing and discovering new ideas. More than 800 artists and guests joined us for this unforgettable day.

Tamara Shogaolu, Leslie Diuguid, Mimi Onuoha, American Artist. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

“It was a much-needed dose of creativity that rekindled some confidence that perhaps we can adapt and transform our relationship to each other and the earth.” —Carnival guest

We kicked off the day with an intimate luncheon for 2020, 2021, and 2022 grantees and supporters who have never had a chance to meet each other due to the pandemic. Then, hundreds of artists and friends joined us at the majestic Village East Cinema and on YouTube, where we showcased 2022 artist grantees and their videos of groundbreaking works-in-progress. Industry experts, cultural producers, philanthropists, and supporters joined us to champion artistic freedom.

2022 Creative Capital Grantees in front of the Village East Cinema marquee. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

“Creative Capital’s artists’ videos were amazing! They were so imaginative and mind-expanding. Real brain candy!” —Carnival guest

2022 Creative Capital Grantees presented 36 videos of their radical projects including: an abortion telenovela, money laundering in the art world, Native American buffalo hide robes, printing with E.Coli bacteria, an opera proposing to move the prime meridian, a film on the founder of the Négritude movement, an ASL dance performance, and so much more! Experience them all again on YouTube.

Artists settling in for the project screening inside the ornate Village East Cinema theater. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

Presenters included: American Artist, Germane Barnes, Maura Brewer, Crystal Z Campbell, Alexandra Chreiteh, Ilana Coleman & Jamie Gonçalves, Xavier Cortada, Mónica de la Torre, Deborah Goffe, Clement Hil Goldberg, Graham Haynes, Randall Horton & Devin B Waldman, Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich, Brandon Kazen-Maddox, Lucy Kim, Marina Magalhães, Ramón Miranda Beltrán & Madeline Jiménez Santil, Christopher K. Morgan, Mimi Onuoha, Karthik Pandian, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, The Revolution School (Jennifer Moon, Clara Philbrick, Devin Alejandro-Wilder), Sarah Rosalena, Viva Ruiz, Suneil Sanzgiri, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Paola Segura Cornelio, Nyugen Smith, Steven Kazuo Takasugi, Sam Tam Ham, Steven Tamayo, Justin Randolph Thompson, Marcos Varela, Edisa Weeks, Pinar Yoldas, and Zhalarina.

Gloria Sutton, Eva Respini, and Suneil Sanzgiri. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

The Carnival was the first major, in-person gathering of the Creative Capital community since 2019. Creative Capital President and Executive Director, Christine Kuan said, “Today we celebrate our care for artists, our care for freedom of expression, and most of all, our care for each other.” 

Ruby Lerner, Christine Kuan, Viva Ruiz, Marina Magalhães, Bianca Medina. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

The day culminated with a Circle Line sunset cruise and celebration with a DJ set by Riobamba. Creative Capital Grantee Kristina Wong led a lively karaoke session aboard the ship. The Creative Capital community enjoyed spectacular views of the New York City skyline as the sun set over the Hudson River. Thank you to all of our artists, Board of Directors, National Advisory Council, and supporters for making this unforgettable event possible!

Kelly Heaton and Leslie Singer sail past the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

“It was the best one yet!” —Carnival guest

DJ Riobamba and guests dance the night away on the Circle Line. Photo by Deonté Lee/BFA.

Support Artists
If you are inspired by the wraparound support we provide to artists creating innovative new work, please donate to Creative Capital with a fully tax-deductible gift!

Become a Member
Members enjoy special benefits, including complimentary tickets to our next Creative Capital Carnival, invitations to in-person and online programming with Creative Capital artists, exclusive events and watch parties, a select publication by a Creative Capital Grantee, and much more!