2016 was Antenna’s 11th anniversary, and much like a tween our age, we were full of energy and anticipation throughout this year. But rather than getting ready for the angsty teenage years ahead of us, we had our most ambitious and productive year to date, and there’s no end in sight. We supplied artists with more money through direct grants, we produced more books, more exhibitions, more readings, and more exciting new programs than ever before. This post highlight’s our 2016 achievements, and such work simply could not exist without the direct support of individuals like you. Every year we are faced with the task of ensuring the future of our organization and the important work we do through various fundraising endeavors, including our annual Cheap Art Auction. Above you can see me, err I mean Santa, hosting the event earlier this month to raise funds for our programs while also providing an opportunity for anyone to snag some affordable art to decorate their lives. We hope to see you there next December and at as many Antenna public events as you can muster in the year ahead. If you supported our work throughout this year, consider this our giant bear hug thank you! If not, we hope this will demonstrate the importance your contribution has in a radically small arts organization!

-Bob Snead, Antenna Executive Director

$45,000

In 2016, Antenna gave away $45,000 in grants to 11 artist projects through the Platforms Fund, in collaboration with Ashé Cultural Art Center and Pelican Bomb.

$110,000

in 2016, Antenna spent over $110,000 in directly supporting 96 artists & writers involved in programming with honoraria, stipends, & salaries.

REAL ENGAGEMENT

2016 saw a surge in audience engagement with 8,072 visitors attending the various programs produced by Antenna, and nearly 50,000 unique visitors viewing 186 new articles, reviews, & interviews online.

ALWAYS INNOVATING

Antenna created 3 new programs (Spillways, Signals, and Incubator) in 2016 to further support the creative community.

43 FREE PUBLIC EVENTS

presenting some of the most dynamic artists & writers from New Orleans & beyond.

A FREE SPACE TO ORGANIZE

for 188 workshops, classes, or gatherings of other grassroots projects or organizations in 2016.

THE LARGEST ART MAKING EVENT IN NEW ORLEANS

Antenna’s 11th annual 24hr Draw-A-Thon brought together over 1200 people to create for the sake of creating.

INTERCONNECTED

With the 2016 launch of Signals, a quarterly ‘live action art magazine,’ Antenna brought together artists, writers, scientists, activists, scholars, & spiritualists around common themes to highlight the people and projects that make New Orleans one of the most unique cities on the planet. Don’t miss the next event on Tues, Jan 31!

A HOME FOR AMBITION

In 2016, Antenna helped 5 artist projects as a fiscal sponsor & assisted them in seeking out grants & donations.

A HOME FOR EXPERIMENTATION

In 2016, the 11 artists that organize Antenna’s gallery contributed a total of 870 volunteer hours to develop 19 exhibitions, fostering new risk-taking projects from local, national, & international artists.

A YEAR OF BOOKS

In 2016, Antenna published the most books it has ever produced in a single year while also opening up its press to provide affordable printing for self-published projects.

CONSTANTLY COLLABORATING

In 2016, Antenna forged new relationships with the Ace Hotel, Contemporary Art Center, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Tulane’s Center for the Gulf South, and Xavier University.

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE

In early 2016, Antenna finished a strategic plan and took the first steps of realizing that plan by working with a group of ambitious youth designers at Young Creative Agency to rebrand and develop a new web presence.

HELP US CONTINUE!

Antenna programming would not be possible without support by individuals like you! Make a tax deductible year end contribution below and help make 2017 another incredible year for art and writing in New Orleans!

Support for Antenna programming in 2016 was provided by Individuals like you, the National Endowment for the Arts, Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Joan Mitchell Foundation, the RosaMary Foundation, the Edward Wisner Grant Donation, Heymann Foundation, The Fertel Foundation, The Kabacoff Family Foundation, Gore Family Fund, Art4Moore Foundation, Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans, The New Orleans City Council & Cox Communication Grant, The Azby Fund, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Pinckelop Foundation, The Bywater CDC, a Community Arts Grant administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans and made possible by the City of New Orleans, and by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.