Visual AIDS

Mission

Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over.

Statement of Values

Visual AIDSis the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to HIV prevention and AIDS awareness through producing and presenting visual art projects, while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to preserving and honoring the work of artists with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement. We embrace diversity and difference in our staff, leadership, artists, and audiences.In the fight against AIDS, we believe:

• Effective AIDS advocacy seeks to address the underlying and related issues that contribute to and exacerbate the pandemic, such as poverty, homophobia, and racism.
• Our work affirms the visibility, dignity and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.
• HIV/AIDS prevention is about harm reduction that is guided by science, not ideology.

Art is our weapon of choice:

• We draw from the deep history of art activism, as with our Red Ribbon Project and Day With(out) Art.
• Visual AIDS promotes art that is public, inclusive, and accessible.
• Art that takes risks promotes and encourages reflection, dialogue, and action.