International Studio & Curatorial Program
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Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The International Studio & Curatorial Program is a laboratory for the world’s most promising artists and curators, a place for innovation and experimentation. The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) supports the creative development of artists and curators, and promotes exchange through residencies and public programs. Housed in a former factory in Brooklyn, with 35 light-filled work studios and two galleries, ISCP is New York’s most comprehensive international visual arts residency program, founded in 1994. ISCP organizes exhibitions, events and offsite projects, which are free and open to all, sustaining a vibrant community of contemporary art practitioners and diverse audiences. Over 1,350 artists and curators from more than 80 countries, including the United States have undertaken residencies at ISCP.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Overview
ISCP is dedicated to supporting the creative development of contemporary artists and curators from around the world. As the most comprehensive visual arts residency in the United States, ISCP is an unparalleled platform for showcasing underrepresented voices and bringing diverse perspectives to the forefront of contemporary art. ISCP has hosted over 1,800 artists and curators from over 95 countries, including hundreds from the United States.
Housed in a former factory in Brooklyn, with 35 light-filled work studios and two galleries, principle activities are the International and Ground Floor Residency Programs, and free public programs including exhibitions, talks, open studios, and educational initiatives, which engage the public throughout the year. Through its two residency programs—the International Program and the Ground Floor Program—ISCP offers artists and curators the opportunity to work in New York City, encouraging cross-cultural exploration, collaboration, and innovation.
International Program
ISCP’s renowned International Program brings artists from all over the world into the cultural capital of New York City. Artists and curators are provided with private, furnished studio spaces and 24-hour access to communal facilities. All residents are encouraged to take advantage of the in-house community of artists and curators, offering invaluable international and local networks, professional conversations and critique. While in the International Program, residents are invited to participate in a number of activities in and outside of ISCP including meetings with Visiting Critics, Field Trips, Artist Talks and Open Studios.
Ground Floor Program
The Ground Floor Program was created to offer heavily subsidized studio space to seven New York-based artists each year, with the option to renew for a second year. Participants benefit from a strong community network in the city and professional development benefits throughout the year. ISCP’s public programs offer the public a window onto world culture and art for free year-round, deeply enriching NYC's cultural landscape.
Public Programming
ISCP provides free public programming year-round, including:
Spring and Fall Open Studios and a Summer Open House take place three times a year. These events activate ISCP's entire 17,500 square foot facility with discussion, learning and transcultural exchange. Each event examines contemporary art practices by more than 35 artists and curators from over 20 countries, including those who are New York based.
ISCP Talks are free talks hosted throughout the year on a wide range of topics. Neighborhood audiences intermingle with ISCP artists and curators, each enriching the others’ vision of art and culture, exemplifying the incredible diversity of this city, and of ISCP’s community within it.
Exhibitions in ISCP's Project Space and Second Floor Gallery provide the public with an opportunity to view contemporary paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations and videos, as well as new commissions by under-recognized artists. Six to seven exhibitions are presented annually.
Community Outreach and Education
ISCP’s year-round Paid Internship Program provides 20+ participants annually with foundational skills in the nonprofit arts environment, creating pathways for future careers in the arts. Interns engage in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of our not-for-profit arts organization and gain valuable experience, while being introduced to a vast network of international art practitioners in a studio-filled building. By allocating resources and funding toward mentorship and employment training programs, ISCP creates pipelines for a diverse workforce in the arts and culture sector.
ISCP’s High School Visitation Program is intended for students to make direct contact with professional, visionary artists from all over the world, and be exposed to various pathways for careers in the arts. Through this burgeoning program, ISCP is investing in students' professional success, with the aim of providing valuable service and economic benefit to local and citywide residents.
Where we work
External reviews
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Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of awarded residencies
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Total number of audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of exhibitions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The International Studio & Curatorial Program’s mission is:
to support and enhance the professional development of emerging to mid-career artists and curators from around the world
to introduce New York audiences to exceptional international art practices
to engage communities of Brooklyn and the New York City area through public programs that enrich the appreciation and understanding of contemporary art
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
With an International Residency Program and Ground Floor Program for New York City-based artists, ISCP strives to establish a global network of exemplary artists and curators. Tailored for professional growth, the programs serve as an active mediator, creating visibility and immersion for all of its residents in New York City. ISCP’s programming is conceived to facilitate dialogue and collaboration.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Integrated activity areas including the Residency Programs, Exhibition Program, ISCP Talks and Offsite Projects, make ISCP an unparalleled platform for producing, presenting and contextualizing contemporary art through a diverse range of international perspectives.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Among ISCP’s respected alumni are artists Kevin Beasley, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Elmgreen and Dragset, Claire Fontaine, Theaster Gates, Camille Henrot, Yeondoo Jung, Chi Wo Leung, Maider Lopez, Carsten Nicolai, Jacolby Satterwhite, Tatiana Trouvé; and curators Mai Abu ElDahab, Vit Havránek and Aneta Szylak.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
International Studio & Curatorial Program
Board of directorsas of 11/07/2023
Arthur Zegelbone
Karen Karp
Dennis Elliott
Emily Alli
Danny Báez
Courtney Willis Blair
Patricia L. Brundage
Monica Espinel
William Harrison
Sarah Jones
Samar Maziad
Manu Mohan
Sophie O. Riese
Lena Saltos
Marjorie Welish
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 11/07/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.