Dear supporters of MASS, 

We want to share an important statement about the Ni de aquí, ni de allá residency program that was co-organized by Cobertizo and MASS Gallery. 

The Ni de aquí, ni de allá residency brought together a culturally, racially, linguistically, politically, and economically diverse group of artists and organizers from both Texas and Mexico for a fully funded residency program. The eight selected artists and Cobertizo staff spent 4 weeks living and working together, and were joined by MASS members in the final weekend for studio visits in preparation for a culminating exhibit at our gallery in Austin, Texas. 

During the residency, a deeply complex and painful set of situations arose that affected everyone involved. This situation was the result of the present lived reality and the urgent and specific struggles at play in both Texas and Mexico — such as the colonial structures that shape the Latin American context and the deep history of anti-Black racism in the United States and Mexico. We do not wish to take a position of authority or claim to be more qualified than we are to handle such complex matters. However, we are deeply disappointed and sorry that these painful events happened. We firmly reject all forms of racism, discrimination, and violence, and we acknowledge the need to continue strengthening our institutional tools to better support the artists we engage with. 

MASS has always aimed to be a safe, diverse, and inclusive space that welcomes and supports all - Indigenous and Black artists, migrant artists, trans and non-binary people, LGBTQ artists, and people from a wide range of economic backgrounds. This work has been, and continues to be, a journey which we are honored to be able to walk with and learn from others. Our commitment to equity, respect, and representation continues to be at the core of who we are. 

This was a big, ambitious project brought by two small organizations from different cultural and historical contexts and frameworks. Yet we believe that it is precisely within these differences that we can build new, more conscious, empathetic, and horizontal ways of collaboration. 

Sincerely, 
MASS