NO LONGER EMPTY

NLE to Suspend Programming and Refocus

Dear artists, friends and colleagues of our extended NLE family:
It has been our great joy and an incredible honor to work with so many amazing artists, colleagues, friends and the City of New York over the past twelve years.

COVID-19 has profoundly affected all of us and underscored the power of solidarity and of taking care of each other. In the midst of these current social and cultural changes, we are currently re-evaluating our role as an organization. With this in mind, we are writing to inform you that as of June 30th, No Longer Empty will suspend its programming and focus on our legacy as well as the lessons to be learned and shared.

We thank all of our current NLE team and wish them success in their future endeavors: Christine Licata, our Executive Director whose leadership and vision never wavered throughout one of the most challenging years in our history; Lauraberth Lima, our Director of Education, whose progressive pedagogy and expansive expertise in education and social justice brought the possibilities of youth thought leadership to an even higher level, along with the unwavering commitment and talents of Curatorial-Educators Catherine Felizand Augustina Warton; invited NLE Lab Curator-Educator Danilo Machadoand invited Artistic Director Taraneh Fazeli, who shared their creative input and insights as well as vast knowledge and experience in disability art and justice with both the NLE team and program participants; Ashley Browne, our brilliant bookkeeper for the past 9 years, whose mind for numbers and financials is unparalleled; and Tahera Tajbhai, our Executive Coordinator, who gives a whole new meaning to being proactive and team-responsive.

More gratitude still to our colleagues, funders and our dedicated Board and Advisory Committee for their years of generosity, support, dedication, creative advice and trust. Lastly, we would like to share our deep appreciation to you, for your commitment and support over the years. We hope that we will remain friends and colleagues throughout this transition into hopefully a better future.

Visit: www.nolongerempty.org for more info.

In response to the current pandemic and social justice uprisings NLE Youth Action Council’s NYCapsule share their call-to-action towards solidarity and change through , a poetry-based manifesto and documentary.

encourages all of us to imagine a more progressive, equitable world. One that is, in the words of YAC members, “Free from violence. Where we promote brotherhood and sisterhood. Where liberation is not dependent on the exploitation of others...just imagine.”

Visit their new microsite at www.nolongeremptyedu.org to learn more and see their brilliant leadership in action! (LINK IN BIO)

Still from Youth Action Council NYCapsule’s video, featuring Youth Action Council members (from left to right) Marvens Volcimus, Giancarlos Asencio, Kalia Asencio, Givienna Geneva Gordon, Aurora Sadasy, Amanda Jones, Dylan Kennedy with NLE Lead Educators Augustina Warton (bottom left) and Catherine Feliz (bottom right).

In response to the current pandemic and social justice uprisings, Y.Ex curated the virtual exhibition, “A NYC Youth-Led Response to COVID-19,” that captures a youth-led perspective of the psychological effects of the virus. Y.Ex members focused on capturing how other youth were thinking, feeling, and taking care of themselves during this unprecedented time of physical isolation. The work selected directly reflects the youth artists’ personal responses to the current pandemic.

Visit their new microsite and view Jordan Bowen’s full poem at www.nolongeremptyedu.org to learn more and see their brilliant leadership in action! (LINK IN BIO)

Jordan Bowen
The Anti-Virus, 2020, [detail]
Medium: Poetry

This poem talks about the changes that people have started to face. It talks about the new struggles that have come up during a time of panic. It really talks about what’s going on in the real world at this time. Bowen asks the difficult question, “Hospital volunteers help infected people in the hospital instead of quarantining? And with their families?” This written work helps give power to people in a time when many feel powerless.

Image still from Youth Action Council NYCapsule's video , featuring Youth Action Council Member Amanda Jones.

LIVE NOW: NLE Youth Action Council’s NYCapsule is thrilled to share their call-to-action towards solidarity and change through , a poetry-based manifesto and documentary.

encourages all of us to imagine a more inclusive, equitable world. One that is, in the words of YAC members, “Free from violence. Where we promote brotherhood and sisterhood. Where liberation is not dependent on the exploitation of others...just imagine.”

Visit their new microsite at www.nolongeremptyedu.org to learn more and see their brilliant leadership in action!

"Distractions," 2020 by Radeha Haque. Digital Art. Y.Ex description for Haque’s work: "Within the drawing, Haque depicts the many overwhelming aspects of the world and tries to solve them by meditating. The doctors in the foreground are also a symbol of healing and support that stands out in her artwork. Together these reference the importance of taking care of both our mental and physical health now more than ever, since the pandemic affects us all."

LIVE NOW: We are proud to announce the launch of the culminating initiative of NLE Young Exhibition Makers!

In response to the current pandemic and social justice uprisings, Y.Ex curated the virtual exhibition, “A NYC Youth-Led Response to COVID-19,” that captures a youth-led perspective of the psychological effects of the virus. Y.Ex members focused on capturing how other youth were thinking, feeling, and taking care of themselves during this unprecedented time of physical isolation. The work selected directly reflects the youth artists’ personal responses to the current pandemic.

Visit their new microsite at www.nolongeremptyedu.org to learn more and see their brilliant leadership in action!

Huge congratulations to our NLE Youth Action Council (YAC) Curator Educators and as well as our amazing youth on their success organizing and hosting an Arts + Activism panel in collaboration with the Remimagine: Life, Loss, & Love World-Wide Festival. Over 150 attendants from Hawaii to the Bronx came together last Friday to discuss art, embracing life, facing death, and loving fully in the face of COVID-19.

We are grateful to our partner for allowing us to be part of this amazing event. In addition, profound appreciation to the brilliant artist and activist panelists , , , , and for taking the time to share their expertise, stories and their work. Most importantly, thank you to all who participated in the panel forum as well as all your ongoing support of our powerful youth thought leaders and NLE’s education programs!

No Longer Empty’s Youth Action Council is proud to host an Arts & Activism panel as part of the Reimagine: Life, Loss, & Love World-Wide Festival. Organized by our youth-led initiative, NYCapsule (see link in bio), this program is designed for young people ages 14-19 to hear from NYC based collectives and artists who are using art and activism to both make their voices heard and imagine a safer world.

Join us this Friday, May 22, from 4pm - 6pm EST (1-3pm PDT) via Zoom. The Reimagine virtual arts festival focuses on embracing life, facing death, and loving fully in the face of COVID-19. Changemakers in the arts, spirituality, healthcare, and design have come together to provide offerings that will transform our approach to life and death as we all navigate this global pandemic. Artists will share about their work and their current responses to COVID-19. All attendees are welcome to participate in interactive dialogue.

For any questions, please contact [email protected] with the subject NYCapsule

No Longer Empty’s Youth Action Council (YAC) had the honor of welcoming artist to NYCapsule! A multimedia artist with a focus in the visual arts and community building, Elise shared her passion for social justice and making art accessible for all.

She encouraged the youth to have a realistic and serious approach to art, while never losing sight of their passion and the joy in creating.

Thank you, Elise, for sharing your insights into the art world!

Last week, No Longer Empty had the honor of welcoming curator and educator Taraneh Fazeli to our Young Exhibition Makers (Y.Ex) program. We were thrilled to meet with Taraneh, who shared her insights on what an exhibition means to her, and her focus on health and care in her work.Taraneh also explained her approach to artist studio visits, an approach that differs from tradition.

We learned so much from Taraneh that will greatly influence us as we prepare for our own upcoming exhibition, A Youth Response to COVID-19.

No Longer Empty’s Youth Action Council (YAC) spent last week’s session working on an upcoming video project called “Imagine A World.” Pulling from works written earlier in the year, the youth created a new poem centered around three themes: Freedom & Power, Safety & Care, and The Earth and Our Ancestors.

We look forward to sharing the final project with you all in the near future!

No Longer Empty had the honor of welcoming Ashley James (), Associate Curator, Contemporary Art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to our Young Exhibition Makers (Y.Ex) program.

We were so thrilled to meet with Ashley, who spoke to us about her career path as well as about the art of curatorial work. Ashley shared tips on how to hone our own curatorial practice from a young age and discussed some approaches to the big decisions that curators make. We learned so much about the process that will greatly inform our decision making as we prepare for our own upcoming exhibition, A Youth Response to COVID-19.

Thank you, Ashley, for your time and brilliance!

No Longer Empty is participating in , a global day of unity and giving. Over the past months, NLE’s brilliant education team has creatively adapted to the new reality that we now face–both as an organization and as a society as a whole.

We have pivoted our youth education programs in direct response to COVID-19 with YOUTH ACTION COUNCIL’S NLE NYCAPSULE that provides youth-led, citywide virtual space for young people to share their voices and experiences during the pandemic.

YOUNG EXHIBITION MAKERS is also currently engaging city youth by organizing an exhibition for young artists to share their experiences. A youth response to COVID-19, this collection of multimedia work aims to archive experiences of this time through young artists and curatorial methods.

Still, we need YOU to continue. Please take a moment to donate below and support our youth leaders of today.

Thank you from all of us at No Longer Empty!

PLEASE DONATE T♥DAY: www.nolongerempty.org/supportus/

NLE’s Youth Action Council welcomed multimedia artist YAKO 440 as part of NLE NYCapsule, where he showed the youth how culinary ingredients -- such as turmeric -- can be used in lieu of traditional materials to create art.

A multi-instrumentalist, beat maker/ producer, human beatboxer, and visual artist, Yako has travelled the world both as a student and educator. He holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Goddard College's Interdisciplinary Arts program. In addition, Yako has composed music and visuals for theater performances, co-curated large scale art exhibitions, and co-founded the Hip Hop/ Spoken Word collective SOUL INSCRIBED.

Thank you, Yako, for encouraging us to think outside the box and to expand on our creativity!

NLE’s Youth Action Council welcomed neurosurgeon and artist, as part of NLE NYCapsule where she shared her journey through the worlds of science and art. During her session, Dr. Ko stressed the importance of the bridge between the arts and science and motivated the youth to envision their futures with the “passion, dedication and discipline” to realize their goals.

She also invited NLE NYCapsule youth to lead her , an initiative to build solidarity and support for our COVID-19 fearless front-liners in healthcare through the “blank canvas” of the white coat as a symbol of care and healing. To find out more or to participate, please visit NLE’s website or

Thank you, Dr. Ko, for being such an inspiration!

No Longer Empty’s Young Exhibition Makers (Y.Ex) invite fellow youth, ages 14 – 19, to submit artworks to the NLE Youth Artist Open Call. This exhibition will focus on mental health and care in the time of COVID-19.

Artistic submissions should directly reflect personal responses to the current COVID-19 pandemic through narrative, experiences, perspectives, stories and feelings that address the times.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.nolongerempty.org/event/nle-youth-artist-open-call/