Electronic music is rooted in Black queer resistance, but today is commercially homogenous and heavily stratified. In this project I explore the sustainability, diversity, and accessibility of the Providence electronic music scene through a series of artists, venue, and staff interviews to conceive of and implement better practices for medium-scale art scenes that prioritize underrepresented artists, honor the city and art’s history, center safety and belonging, and forge new partnerships. I will curate a show for emerging artists and develop a living, interactive map of venues, artists, shows, and more in the Greater Providence area, emphasizing female, queer, and trans performers.

Mentors: Erik DeLuca, Dailen Williams

Kolya Shields '24 (they/she) is studying Modern Culture and Media and Comparative Literature. As a DJ, performer, and multimedia artist working in photography, video, and sound, they are interested on both the potentials and limits of artistic-political expressions of queerness. Whether working on a documentary project in Rio De Janeiro, Brasil, writing and producing for podcasts and campus papers, or as a member of the Brown Transformative Justice Practitioner Program, they are focused on creating an art world that is more sustainable, diverse, and accessible for all.