In this talk, the co-founders of Art Handlxrs* — Marcel Pardo Ariza and Ambrose Trataris — will explore the future of art handling and the importance of care, coalition building, and diversity in the art world. They will discuss individual and collective efforts that improve the working conditions and sustainability of the industry with a specific focus on BIPOC, queer, non-binary and trans people, and women* in the professional arts industry as preparators, art handlxrs, technicians, fabricators, and other industry support roles.
Art Handlxrs* hopes that audiences will come away from this discussion with an expanded understanding of what an art handlxr looks like, broadening their own perspective and challenging assumptions that are widely accepted through the hegemonic identities of the art world.
Being an art handlxr is based on the act of caring — for an artwork, the artist’s intention, the needs of the institution, the upkeep of the space, and the experience of an audience. Why is this intentional care not an integral part of our labor practices? How can we create work environments that foster inclusivity and access to work for folx from a diverse range of experiences?
Mission & History
Art Handlxrs* is an organization co-founded by Marcel Pardo Ariza and Ambrose Trataris, dedicated to the support and growth of Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, queer, transgender and gender nonconforming people in the professional arts industry as art handlxrs, technicians, fabricators, and other industry support roles. Art Handlxrs* connects communities through social gatherings, offers technique workshops, connects individuals with local employment opportunities, and strengthens the support systems within organizations to provide a safer and welcoming work environment for everyone.
Art Handlxrs* started in 2016 and has brought together the art handling community through in-person networking and training opportunities. This work expanded into a hiring database that currently boasts over 40 art handlxrs available for hire across the San Francisco Bay Area and other US cities, which has resulted in both contract work and permanent placements. We have built ongoing connections with like-minded organizations and arts labor advocates worldwide, including WAGE (New York), Level It (Seattle), Art Tech Space (UK), The Broad (Los Angeles), PACCIN (Worldwide), and Art Handler Mag (Worldwide). Programmatic partners have included Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco Art Institute, California College for the Arts, University of San Francisco, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, Minnesota Street Projects, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Art Handlxrs* has been building a coalition with Bay Area art handlxrs and hiring managers at arts organizations, and we continue to advocate and work with local institutions to improve their hiring and labor practices.
Founder Bios
Marcel Pardo Ariza is a co-founder of Art Handlxrs* leading program development and artistic direction. Ariza is a trans visual artist, curator, and art worker who explores the relationship of representation, intergenerational kinship, and queerness through constructed photographs, site-specific installations, and public programming. Their work is invested in creating long-term interdisciplinary collaborations and opportunities that are non-hierarchical, decentralized, and equitable. Ariza is currently an Assistant Professor of Photography at California College of the Arts. They serve on the board of El/La Para Trans Latinas and have been a member of The Transgender District’s Community Advisory.
Ambrose Trataris is a co-founder of Art Handlxrs* leading fundraising and organizational development. Trataris is a trans conceptual artist, technologist, and Drag performer based in the Bay Area. Through sculpture, installation, and performance, he gives form to semiotic and social boundaries meant to govern our identity, sense of worth, and communal relations. Through his work, he is dedicated to creating lasting changes for racial, social, and labor equity in partnership with arts organizations. Trataris is co-founder of R/SF projects (2016-2019) and the founder of Unrestricted Funds. They serve as Vice President on the board of Oaklash and currently work as Manager of Grants and Donor Relations at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University.
Forge Project Talks
Forge Project Talks are part of a set of broader initiatives at Bard College that seek to place Native American and Indigenous Studies at the heart of curricular innovation, which includes programming organized by the Center for Indigenous Studies and the Rethinking Place initiative.
These programs are made possible by the Forge Endowed Fund for Indigenous Studies at Bard College, generously supported by the Gochman Family Foundation along with George Soros and the Open Society Foundations.
Accessibility for Public Programs
Recordings
This program will be live-streamed on @Forgeprojectny. All CCS Bard programs are recorded through audio recordings that reside in the CCS Bard Library & Archives and online here. To inquire about an audio recording, please contact CCSVisits@bard.edu.
American Sign Language Interpretation
ASL-English interpretation is available for public programs upon request with two weeks advance notice. To place a request, please contact CCSVisits@bard.edu. Relay and voice calls welcome.
Verbal Description
Verbal description is available for public programs upon request with two weeks advance notice. To place a request, please contact CCSVisits@bard.edu. Relay and voice calls welcome.
Captioning
When public programs are held over Zoom, live transcription is available.