Founded at The New School in 1992, the Vera List Center for Art and Politics (the VLC) has been an influential leader in the field of politically engaged art for over three decades. Two key goals drive our work: (1) to provide resources and recognition to artists worldwide, supporting their indispensable role in fostering healthy societies, and (2) to serve a broad and diverse public by creating opportunities for shared learning and community-building. Our mission is to nurture, connect, and be a resource to diverse communities everywhere by catalyzing generative inquiry, creative practice, collaboration, knowledge, and cultural production focused on the intersections of art and politics.
In keeping with The New School's distinctive public-scholarship mandate, we support bold, progressive, and research-intensive art practices that underscore the political potential of art. For more than thirty years, we have championed visionary, risk-taking artists and promoted critical, nuanced engagement with the public, serving as a beacon and sanctuary during times of political polarization, global conflict, and rapid technological and climate shifts.
Our programs include:
- A biennial Focus Theme, our unifying curatorial framework positioning art as a distinct form of research that advances knowledge, dialogue, and social change;
- Research-focused fellowships for artists at pivotal moments in their practice, leading to commissioned public projects;
- The annual VLC Forum, a multi-day international convening at The New School;
- Interdisciplinary seminar series and public programs;
- Exhibitions, performances, and installations;
- Books, catalogues, and online publications spotlighting leading and emerging voices in the field;
- The international, biennial Jane Lombard Prize for Art and Social Justice honoring exceptional art and social justice projects;
- And institutional and field-strengthening initiatives.
Annually, our programs engage thousands here in New York City and reach many more online, serving as a hub for art, research, and public discourse for artists, art workers, scholars, students, and a growing global audience.
All of our programs are 100% free, including digital versions of our publications, and most feature accessibility options and food and drink.
The New School provides a vibrant academic home for our programs and a community of world class scholars, as well as facilities and administrative services at no cost to us. Thanks to The New School’s support, we have very few overhead costs and are able to apply 100% of donations from individuals to direct support of our programs.
Our programs and staff are funded entirely through donations. Every gift—regardless of size—has real and immediate impact, allowing us to:
- Provide direct financial support to artists;
- Curate and present bold and timely new art projects to diverse audiences in New York City and around the world;
- Increase the accessibility of our programs through live ASL interpretation and closed captioning;
- Make all of our publications available for FREE as digital readers;
- Bring together artists, scholars, activists, and members of the public for catalytic and joyful discourse spotlighting art as a tool for political empowerment; and
- Keep all our programs FREE and open to the public.
For more information, including video and other documentation of our programs, please visit us at www.veralistcenter.org.
Thank you!