Proxy is an interdisciplinary project and publishing platform.

The project began as a platform for civic engagement. In working with city and state departments, real estate developers, and community-based organizations, properties were obtained for projects featuring a range of disciplines including art, film, publishing, and experimental music.

Exhibitions, events, and editions were produced under the name “R.K.” in Providence, Rhode Island. After operating for two years, the platform was given funding for three years of operating support from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and went on to integrate its program with projects in New York and Brussels, expanded to include new media projects and digital publications, and began operating under the name Proxy.

For one year, it was located in a ground-floor storefront of a historic bank building located in the center of downtown Providence. Owned and operated by local real estate company, Cornish Associates, the building was acquired as part of their large-scale revitalization endeavor for the downtown area. The storefront, over 1500 sq. ft, featured a large window facade, a large screen attached to the side of the building for outdoor film screenings, and a basement space at the same footage of the ground-floor space, all of which were used for exhibitions, performances, and events.

Additional funding was provided by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation through a grant to support ongoing endeavors in developing the program for new media works in art, literature, computation, and the continuation of an annual festival for experimental music. From 2016 to 2020, the project went on hiatus. In 2021, the platform was restructured and launched with a new website in 2024.

Support

The work of Proxy was supported by generous foundations, grantmakers, and individuals. Special thanks to the following supporting partners, organizations, entities, consultants, friends, and volunteers that offered their space, time, work, guidance, and collaboration—without, projects through this platform would not have been possible: 



Team
Founder, Curator, Tabitha Piseno
Founder, Director of Operations, Sam Keller

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Website, Design, Dan Brewster