Culture Fund Creator’s Grant

NYC IS IN THE MIDST OF A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE. AND IT STARTS WITH NIGHTLIFE. TO CELEBRATE IT, WE ASKED LGBTQ+ Creators and creatives to share their stories and a piece of their art.

We received hundreds of amazing submissions. The 20 members of nightlife we selected and granted $500 were chosen for a variety of reasons. Whether it was their story, their role in nightlife, their impact in the community, or their artistic expression that moved us, they all help make NYC nightlife what it is - a bastion of creative expression and artistic and cultural diversity.

Learn a bit more about the recipients and their role in nightlife below and click on their pictures to see what they’re up to.

Amanda Moore-Karim is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in fashion narratives and creative writing revolved around Black feminist discourse. Her areas of expertise include wardrobe styling, editorial design and journalism, art direction and po — Amanda Moore-Karim is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in fashion narratives and creative writing revolved around Black feminist discourse. Her areas of expertise include wardrobe styling, editorial design and journalism, art direction and poetry.

Aye'oo Cass is a singer and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. She spends most of her time embracing her physical, mental, emotional and spiritual journey and shares the innermost parts of herself through her music.

Barnett Cohen shapeshifts between poet, performance maker, painter, and political activist. Born in South Africa, Cohen grew up in Georgia, and now lives in Brooklyn. Throughout his anti-disciplinary practice, Cohen proposes a kaleidoscopic queer sur — Barnett Cohen shapeshifts between poet, performance maker, painter, and political activist. Born in South Africa, Cohen grew up in Georgia, and now lives in Brooklyn. Throughout his anti-disciplinary practice, Cohen proposes a kaleidoscopic queer surrealism.

Euro Trill is a musician, founder of QTBIPOC event collective, The Rejects and Fitness coach. They are originally from Germany and have plans to push inclusivity and marginalized representation to the forefront through fostering stimulating and nurt — Euro Trill is a musician, founder of QTBIPOC event collective, The Rejects and Fitness coach. They are originally from Germany and have plans to push inclusivity and marginalized representation to the forefront through fostering stimulating and nurturing experiences in terms of entertainment community and wellness.

Firas Harith is an NYC-based genderqueer wordsmith, songstress, and brass virtuoso. Being of South, East, West Asian, and African descent, and hailing from Malaysia, they are the epitome of a global citizen. With a mission to paint the town rainbow, — Firas Harith is an NYC-based genderqueer wordsmith, songstress, and brass virtuoso. Being of South, East, West Asian, and African descent, and hailing from Malaysia, they are the epitome of a global citizen. With a mission to paint the town rainbow, this nightingale thrives to break barriers and smash the stigma around mental illness, immigration, and Queerness through the lens of progressive Islam.

I'm Going To Marry Your Dad (aka Xalvador) is a performance artist/satirist/meme step-parent based in Brooklyn, NY. Their work is a never ending journey to the essence from within, which inevitably will be cringe.

Iodine/ Isaiah is a shapeshifting innovator whose art transcends gender, form, and function.

Isa Reyes is a 23 year old musician and multi media artist. Since releasing their debut EP BELS, Isa has been expanding their artistic horizons. From music to photography, Isa strives to reflect their experiences while curating a world for some of us — Isa Reyes is a 23 year old musician and multi media artist. Since releasing their debut EP BELS, Isa has been expanding their artistic horizons. From music to photography, Isa strives to reflect their experiences while curating a world for some of us to feel less alone, and more seen in our own.

Joi Cole is a bartender, muralist, sex worker, painter. She has a 7 month old daughter and lives in Brooklyn. Thank you so much!

Lola Strange is a latine/ latinX performance artist who blends a wide variety of skills and styles of performance including circus, sideshow, drag and fire arts. They are a visual work of art with amazing costuming and makeup skills that will transpo — Lola Strange is a latine/ latinX performance artist who blends a wide variety of skills and styles of performance including circus, sideshow, drag and fire arts. They are a visual work of art with amazing costuming and makeup skills that will transport you into a world of their creation. They are breaking the mold of performance art with a daring and unique perspective. Lola believes in celebrating the strange and unusual to the fullest and hope they can inspire you to do the same.

Meddle Juice is a comrade in their community, ally to the oppressed, poetic, musically bodied and a challenger of chaos. A NYC singer-songwriter residing ocean side, they musically seek to expose the nuances of inner turmoil involved in our human exp — Meddle Juice is a comrade in their community, ally to the oppressed, poetic, musically bodied and a challenger of chaos. A NYC singer-songwriter residing ocean side, they musically seek to expose the nuances of inner turmoil involved in our human experience.

Miz Jade is a Black, trans, queer drag performer, event host, and professional dancer. A queen known for her teaching, activism, and quick wit, she's bound to gag you and turn the party. Known throughout NYC, Miz Jade has been described as fierce, se — Miz Jade is a Black, trans, queer drag performer, event host, and professional dancer. A queen known for her teaching, activism, and quick wit, she's bound to gag you and turn the party. Known throughout NYC, Miz Jade has been described as fierce, sensual, sophisticated, and full of surprises.

Pauli Cakes is a dj, door person, event organizer in New York City. They've been working in nightlife since they were a teen and they are passionate about music and activating spaces where people can come together and dance.

Peach Bellini (they/he/she) is a TRANSdisciplinary artist, poet, producer, and drag performer. He uses performance and art-making as a vehicle for building community across NYC, and has partnered with Caribbean Equality Project, Colectivo Intercultur — Peach Bellini (they/he/she) is a TRANSdisciplinary artist, poet, producer, and drag performer. He uses performance and art-making as a vehicle for building community across NYC, and has partnered with Caribbean Equality Project, Colectivo Intercultural TRANSGrediendo, and the Queens Museum for their Day of Art and Action. They host a variety show called PARFAIT at Starr Bar, centering QTBIPOC artists and small businesses. His work aims to share the possibilities of transcending boxes & binaries to become who we’re meant to be.

Russell E.L. Butler is an Artist, Producer, and DJ who’s work investigates the history of night life culture and its social practices.

Sally Beauti Twin performs, curates, produces and runs spaces in NYC. She is focusing on more fun ways to get people together (outside if possible) for performative and visual art until we get the pandemic to cease. This Spring and Summer she has two — Sally Beauti Twin performs, curates, produces and runs spaces in NYC. She is focusing on more fun ways to get people together (outside if possible) for performative and visual art until we get the pandemic to cease. This Spring and Summer she has two musical parades lined up for the city. She is a transwoman who finds our nightlife to be the most connecting, healing and inspiring thing in the world.

Sofie Vasquez is a photographer born and raised in The Bronx, New York. Since late 2018, she has been involved in the independent professional wrestling scene. From documenting the South Bronx's Indies to traveling across state lines for three years, — Sofie Vasquez is a photographer born and raised in The Bronx, New York. Since late 2018, she has been involved in the independent professional wrestling scene. From documenting the South Bronx's Indies to traveling across state lines for three years, in 2022 she put together her borough's first no-ring wrestling event with Invictus Pro Wrestling and The Bronx Brewery.

Total XTC (aka Jaidev Alvarez) is a multidisciplinary artist, DJ and producer originally from The Bronx. He organizes a NYC based dance party called Body Journey that focuses on booking lineups consisting of BIPOC+, queer and trans talent from the un — Total XTC (aka Jaidev Alvarez) is a multidisciplinary artist, DJ and producer originally from The Bronx. He organizes a NYC based dance party called Body Journey that focuses on booking lineups consisting of BIPOC+, queer and trans talent from the underground electronic music scene in New York. He's passionate about using nightlife to lift up marginalized folks and as a means to unite alike minds not only for a good night out but for a much larger objective.

Vagabond is an intergendermentional fire/drag performer on a journey of liberation for themselves and others through limitless self-expression. Their one of a kind queer performance art form is an ethereal mashup of drag, fire spinning, dance and flo — Vagabond is an intergendermentional fire/drag performer on a journey of liberation for themselves and others through limitless self-expression. Their one of a kind queer performance art form is an ethereal mashup of drag, fire spinning, dance and flow artistry.

Vishaal is an actor, writer, and hospitality worker from Brooklyn.