BLACK CURATORIAL ‘FLY ME OUT FUND’ BURSARY RECIPIENT

Last year I had the privilege of being part of a cohort of curators and artists awarded an international travel bursary, courtesy of Black Curatorial Ltd and their visionary 'Fly Me Out Fund'. The fund's mission is to encourage more Black curators based in the UK, and artists and curators from Barbados and Jamaica to experience new things and support them in their journey to expose new ways in approaching creativity whilst centring centring play and experimentation. This generous support allowed me to travel to Miami in December 2023 for Miami Art Week, where I focused on researching the city’s public art initiatives.

Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s largest commissioners of public art, and the timing—during Art Basel Miami Beach and numerous other art fairs such as Untitled, Scope and NADA was ideal for an immersive experience. I engaged in an eventful programme that included walking tours, talks, public art unveilings and performances, whilst also exploring collections (both indoors and outdoors) at some of the city's most prestigious institutions. I also had the opportunity to connect with local curators, artists, and members of the public, gaining valuable insights into the role and perception of public art in the city.

This trip allowed me to deepen my knowledge and passion for public art and arts, and how we can be more playful in our planning, delivering more immersive and memorable experiences for audiences. I left feeling inspired and some of my longterm plans for facilitating public arts projects were reignited. Plus, the sunny Miami weather was a welcome break from the UK’s winter!

I massively appreciate Black Curatorial’s mission in ensuring we travelled responsibly. We were encouraged to submit an offsetting plan ahead of the trip, which made me more conscious of the environmental impact of international travel. This was an important reminder of the larger conversation the art world must have about sustainability, and the steps we can take to reduce carbon emissions while respecting local cultures and ecosystems. It’s something I’ve continued to practice with subsequent international travel.

A huge thank you to the inspiring Aliyah Hasinah for her vision behind the Fly Me Out Fund. Without this opportunity, my practice would not have been enriched in the way it was through this trip.

I’ve been blessed throughout my career to have had access to resources and the means to travel internationally quite a bit, and with each opportunity there has been a significant level of impact in my work—especially when it comes to building my international network of peers, who have in turn provided me with key career changing opportunities.

Over the coming week, I’ll share further reflections on the significance of travel for curators (both domestic and international), highlighting why it’s crucial to ensure these resources remain prioritised and accessible.

Stay tuned for more!