CUNY Social Practice Art Program Announces Closure

**The Closure of Social Practice CUNY: Reflecting on a Pioneering Artist-Led Project**

Social Practice City University of New York (SPCUNY), a project established to support social justice-driven artists within the public university framework, has announced its closure in February 2027. Founded in 2021 by artists and educators Chloë Bass and Gregory Sholette as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on education and concerns over university corporatization, this initiative sought to reimagine higher education through socially engaged art.

Over its five-year lifespan, SPCUNY empowered 129 fellows with $535,000 in project awards, supported by the Mellon Foundation, facilitating projects addressing climate change, racial inequality, and immigration issues. Despite its success, the departure of co-directors Bass and Sholette from their academic roles has led to the project’s end, as there was no structured path for leadership succession.

Bass and Sholette emphasized the project’s alignment with the mission of the public university system, which originally aimed to provide accessible education. Though the program could not fully waive tuition, it offered financial support to artists, resonating with the university’s historical values.

The conclusion of SPCUNY marks the end of a significant chapter of socially engaged art within the CUNY system. Yet, Bass and Sholette remain optimistic about its lasting influence, suggesting the potential for future revival. SPCUNY’s closure coincides with the publication of “Practicing in Public,” a book on socially engaged art, and the continuation of events under the series “How Do We ______ in Public?”

As the project winds down, both founders reflect on the importance of maintaining and nurturing justice-focused initiatives within higher education, hoping their work will inspire future endeavors in artistic and social practice, keeping the spirit of SPCUNY alive.