Shan Benson

Art Directors Artists Photographers

SHAN BENSON

Happy New Year everyone! ______ We will start the

Happy New Year everyone!
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We will start the year off with our first IG Live tomorrow (Wed 01.13.21) going coast-to-coast at 11am PST/2pm EST! We will discuss community, our industry, and the new program emerging from @apostrophereps! See you then!
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#representationmatters #bipoc #iglive #coasttocoast #nycartists #bayareaartist #theastuteones #astuteagency

I believe so strongly in what we have just begun t

I believe so strongly in what we have just begun to build here. The reason Astute exists is because of the love I have received from a multitude of folx around the world, working to make art for a purpose or for art’s sake; both entirely honorable motivations.

I felt that in the wake of several issues we are facing now— a global pandemic, racial injustice, transphobia, and the senseless disregard and loss of life (to name a few)— we need to rally behind each other more than ever. If we are not advocating for each other in an effort to preserve our communities, how else would we use this time?

If I were to lay my soul bare right now, I would tell you I feel the extreme urgency to do whatever I can to protect the artists I know and haven’t met yet. There is a real chance everything we’ve built, and our livelihoods could all disappear.

Instead of the mindset of exclusivity, what if there was an organization that embraced inclusivity? What if there was space made to ensure the artist and their works survived or, better yet, flourished?! Can we foster prosperity amongst ourselves if we shared resources, information about these current times, our cultures, and our collective experience with an educational mindset? How can we be better artists— together?

I really believe it is all possible, and in order to move the needle, we need a new school of thought. So here we are.

Welcome to The Astute Agency.
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📸 @karen__santos
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#theastuteones #foundersnotes #astutenotes #blm #artistssupportingartists #artists4artists

“Life is very short. What we have to do must be

“Life is very short. What we have to do must be done in the now.” - Audre Lorde
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Time waits for no one. And right now, time is up. We are the change we want to see, and we want to see it now. As a #BIPOC founded and operated entity, we know what we have to do.
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Equity in the arts.
Equality in the arts.
Diversity in the arts.
Ability in the arts.
Fair pay in the arts.
Education in the arts.
Youth in the arts.
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We believe in this community, and we love you. We are working hard to make sure artists get the respect and recognition they deserve. Period. We will lean on each other as a community, because that’s how we do, baby. #communityfirst
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#community #communityovercompetition #artistssupportingartists #stylistssupportingstylists #equityinthearts #blm #blacktranslivesmatter #theastuteones #astutequotes #audrelorde

“I've been tired-- tired of the same industry BS

“I've been tired-- tired of the same industry BS when it comes to matters of representation and equity among artists from marginalized communities. Success in our capitalistic structure, isn't just based on merit and talent, but also the privileges some of us are afforded based on the color of our skin. In co-founding The Astute Agency with Jillian, I take my responsibility as a community leader seriously, to create an inclusive collective of artists from all kinds of experiences and creative disciplines, to find a sense of liberation of being part of a community that celebrates and uplifts WHO they are and their creative imprint on our social fabric. These are our stories, "an archive of our varied existence." I am of the belief that we are not just great on our own, but as a group, we are so much more greater and powerful, and much more beautifully visible as a whole. I wish for a society that would respect and value artists, for they are visionaries and imaginative creators and leaders of thought AND heart. Those who dedicate their lives passionately to their art and craft, deserve equity and opportunity and that's what we strive for at Asute, to create a platform that cannot be ignored because of what it collectively represents.”
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@karen__santos - Co-founder
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#equity #community #responsibility #collectiveresponsibility #theastuteones #foundersnotes #astutenotes #astutelatinxvoices

Hold on— we’re getting more chairs... ______ #

Hold on— we’re getting more chairs...
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#theastuteones #seatatthetable #equity #diversity #advocacy #advocacyinthearts

So happy for @llanealexis and this feature @craftc

So happy for @llanealexis and this feature @craftcouncil
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Via @llanealexis: Gracias @craftcouncil, @pder, @matthew.drewry.baker and @deborahdbishop
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#theastuteones #astuteblackvoices #astutelatinxvoices #textilearts #textileartist #fiberartist #artistsofinstagram

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