ECFJ Press Release

NEW YORK — Eyebeam is pleased to announce the launch of the Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism (ECFJ), a groundbreaking grant-making program that supports artists producing innovative and revelatory journalistic work for major media outlets.   Underwritten by Craig Newmark Philanthropies, ECFJ is the first initiative of its kind to directly facilitate artists’ major media commissions in the realm of journalism. With the belief that artists are central in the invention and design of our shared future, and also critical in shifting public debate, ECFJ will support the execution of pieces that focus on reimagining the way stories are told, particularly around technology and society.   The funds distributed to artists will assist with research, travel, and other expenses many media outlets struggle to cover, allowing stories that are often out of reach in today’s climate to be produced. And, in an effort to be responsive to an ever-fluctuating news cycle, artists will be able to apply to ECFJ for support of their work on a rolling basis. Artists with longer-term, research-intensive projects are also encouraged to apply. Grant support will range from $500 to $5,000.   Artists creating work with a focus on the following issues are encouraged to apply: • Data privacy • 2018/2020 elections • Role of technology in society • Political influence campaigns • Interrogating harmful technologies • Countering disinformation • Artificial Intelligence   This innovative program is a new way for Eyebeam to deliver on its mission, ensuring that artists are central to the invention and design of our shared future. Providing support for artists on the horizon of emerging forms of journalistic practice is a direct means to help the larger culture untangle truth from fiction.   Marisa Mazria Katz will assume the new role of editorial director and oversee ECFJ. Mazria Katz, a journalist and recent Kickstarter Fellow, began her work with Eyebeam as editorial producer. Previously she was editor-in-chief of Creative Time Reports, an editorial project of the New York public art non-profit Creative Time that featured artists’ perspectives on the news. During her six-year tenure at Creative Time, she produced pieces with artists such as Sophia Al Maria, David Byrne, Mel Chin, Molly Crabapple, Trevor Paglen, and Boots Riley, and partnered with major publications, including The Guardian, The Intercept, Al Jazeera and Foreign Policy.   “I have seen firsthand how powerful artists’ work can be within the pages of major media,” explains Mazria Katz. “Artists can be uniquely capable of creating journalistic pieces that shift dominant news narratives, and a project like ECFJ ensures that more of them will be supported in this groundbreaking work.”   “Eyebeam has for twenty years been a leader in supporting artists who are redefining the future of technology and society through creative practice,” says Eyebeam director Roderick Schrock. “Critical journalistic practice by artists is very necessary now, in order to better understand the strange present. We are extraordinarily excited to focus our energy on this and are thrilled by its potential.”   “Sometimes artists can express truths much more effectively than anyone can with straight explanation,” says Craig Newmark. “We're hoping that can a means to counter disinformation used against us all.”   Read more on ECFJ here. About Eyebeam Eyebeam provides both space and support for a community of diverse, impact-driven artists. The residency program brings artists’ work to life and into the world by providing access to advanced tools and resources and launching dynamic public events, assisted by an engaged community of alum. The Eyebeam residency program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Cultural Development Fund of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the Jerome Foundation, and the Atlantic Foundation along with the generosity of Eyebeam’s family of individual givers.   For any media-related inquiries, please contact: Maddie Pinney maddie.pinney@eyebeam.org.