#BlackLivesMatter

To our families, friends and supporters,

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and countless others, JCAL stands in solidarity in the fight against racism and police brutality. We will continue to support our community of Black colleagues and citizens, sharing our resources to help artists of color tell their stories and work towards social justice. As it has for many years, JCAL will serve as a safe space for the Black community and people of all backgrounds, in which racism and prejudice will not be tolerated.

Now, and going forward, JCAL will hold our community and ourselves to this standard. As an organization, we will use the arts to amplify and empower Black voices. To our community of Black artists, we’d like you to know that you are seen, and that Black voices will always be heard at JCAL.

Thank you to everyone who is doing the work and leading the charge against racism and our sincere condolences to those we’ve lost.

Sincerely,
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

Watch & Learn

JCAL Presents

Monstah Black's Cotton: the Quarantine Edition premiere

Watch Now on our Youtube

This dance film will be accompanied by a live musical performance. The work investigates the idea of physical transformation as a source for healing. Black employs images from slavery as a point of departure, modifying the images into positive iconography to inspire and empower those that suffered and continue to suffer from its ugly legacy.

Watch the Recording Here

#jcalPOPUPclasses

To help you and your families stay active and creative, we are offering #jcalPOPUPclasses online. These programs are geared towards school-aged audiences but are made with all age groups in mind. The classes cover music, dance, art, drama, and STEM.

Visit our Youtube page to view our whole collection of classes!

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2nd Thursday Night Jazz

Check out our regular 2nd Thursday Night Jazz, which has continued via live stream. While nothing beats a live performance with in our landmark buildings, it's a chance to support these musicians as they share their music on a more intimate scale.

Watch the most recent Youtube live stream performance by vocalist Thana Alexa.

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Friday Nights @ JAC

Friday Nights @JAC is an incubator series for creative individuals and emerging artists who need a stage to perform to new audiences. This series is supported by Councilman I. Daneek Miller, Dist. 27.

See recent performances by J La Sol, Bria Monet, and Ashley Keiko on our Youtube page.

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Subscribe to the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) Youtube channel for the latest videos!

Building Equity Project

Connect & Explore

2020 Southeast Queens Biennial

On View Through July 31, 2020

Curators Molaundo Jones and Margaret Rose Vendryes invited ten artists with a significant connection to Queens to address literacy, identity, and environment with work that investigates ways of being an integral part of the borough’s fabric through visual art.

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Blog

Get the latest insights and updates on JCAL's programs! Browse through interviews with featured artists and teachers and learn more about our upcoming events.

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Community and Culture

On view (extended):

May 20 - July 19, 2020
Artist Talk: Thursday, June 18, 6-7PM

The artwork for this exhibition was based from a series of projects and field work that explored the notion of a community and how a place can be a site for amplifying art, community building, and self reflection.

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Artist Registry

Check out our ongoing, open gallery for artists! The JCAL Artist Registry is online catalog of images documenting the work of artists who are not affiliated with a commercial gallery in New York City.

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#jcalAmericanStories

Connection and creativity are vital for building strong communities. American Stories is JCAL's online platform for snapshots of life and creativity from across the U.S. as well as right here in NYC and Queens. Participate through Instagram or submit through our website.

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Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean: A Focus on the Taíno

Monday, June 22, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30PM

A lecture that look at the history, culture, and contemporary issues of the Taíno People. This lecture presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.

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Puerto Rico Update with Prolibertad

Thu., June 25, 2020, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

A panel discussion about the island and its people today, particularly in pandemic period after the disaster.

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Film & Music: Sounds of Siberia

Monday, June 29, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30PM

In this online concert film presentation, viewers will be taken on a journey to the expanse of Siberia by Yuliyana Krivoshapkina and Nachyn Choreve

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