Cohort IV kicked off their participation in the Caribbean Cultural African Diaspora Institute’s Digital Evolution Artist Retention (DEAR) Fellowship in October with an ongoing intensive virtual retreat that culminates on November 19, 2022. Bringing a diverse set of experiences with them to the program, the artists of this cohort represent various mediums within visual, performing and literary arts. Hailing from several states across the U.S. including New York, New Jersey and Florida, Cohort IV also represents an array of cultures within the African Diaspora, including Guyanese, Puerto Rican, Dominican, DR Congo, Martinique and American among others.

Currently more than halfway through their retreat experience, this newest group of CCCADI fellows are absorbing a central part of the fellowship program which aims to tackle the challenges of the moment by exploring a range of tools and practices that cut across disciplines and levels of experience to further strengthen their abilities to create, teach, and promote their work in our present context and beyond. The retreat allows each fellow to engage in master workshops that cover Artist/Project Narrative Development, Social Media and Digital Strategy, Grant Writing, and Intellectual Property Rights.

Beyond this intensive virtual retreat, DEAR provides opportunities for all of its fellows to learn, plan, network and grow in order to create sustainable practices. Upon completion, Cohort IV will unlock ongoing access, as CCCADI alumni, to a network of peers, resources and paid opportunities in support of their resilience and artistic practice.

Congratulations to the artists of DEAR Cohort IV, all of whom encapsulate the richness of the African Diaspora’s art, culture, traditions and global contributions.

Click each image and hover over it to learn more the members of DEAR Cohort IV.