Visiting Scholars

The IUPUI Arts & Humanities Institute has two visiting scholars programs.

The City State Residency is a curated program that invites experts from a full-spectrum of professions and practices to participate in collaborative ventures in the city of Indianapolis. Residents include visual, performing, and literary artists as well as individuals who work in the fields of design, science, or the humanities. By embedding visiting, multidisciplinary residents with various community organizations throughout Indianapolis, we intend to generate new perspectives, catalyze collaborative projects, and learn from the past to design for the future. By participating in a global conversation, we hope to discover the things we have in common with other cities as well as uncover the things that make Indianapolis unique. To learn more about the City State Residency, please click here.

Our Scholar-in-Residence Program welcomes short-term and long-term visiting scholars whose interests intersect with the Cultural Ecologies Project. As part of the IAHI's work in developing new modes for cultural participation and understanding the impact of the arts and humanities on cities, we encourage artists and scholars to reach out to us to explore ways that we might collaborate. 

2018-19 Scholars-in-Residence

Kyle Long

A native of Indianapolis, Kyle Long has always been interested in building bridges between his home state and ideas, people, and music from around the world. Largely self-educated, Long’s research interests developed alongside his work as an electronic music DJ. Prior to launching his career as a DJ, Long spent several years engaged in the independent study of global dance music forms. He put this knowledge to use in 2010 by forming Cultural Cannibals, a partnership with visual artist Artur Silva. Through Cultural Cannibals, Long and Silva have worked to create greater appreciation for the cultural traditions of Indianapolis’ diverse immigrant community. 

In 2011 Long was hired to develop a weekly music column for the Indianapolis-based alternative newspaper NUVO. Titling the series Cultural Manifesto, Long began documenting Indianapolis’ immigrant music scene, while also engaging in a serious examination of the city’s musical history. To date, Long has conducted hundreds of interviews with historically significant Indianapolis musicians. In 2015 Long expended his Cultural Manifesto column to a weekly radio program on the Indianapolis NPR affiliate WFYI. 

As a DJ Long has performed at numerous festivals and events such as Super Bowl XLVI, the India Association of Indianapolis’ India Day, and La Plaza's FIESTA. Long has performed alongside some of his greatest musical inspirations, including Zakir Hussain, Laraaji and Os Mutantes. In addition to his work as a DJ, Long has also worked as a music curator for institutions including the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Mayor's office of International and Cultural Affairs, and the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.

During his time at IAHI Long will be working on a book about the prolific Indianapolis sign painter Jasper Travis, better known as the Brushmaster. Long developed an interest in the Bushmaster’s work during the late 1990s and began documenting the artist’s work with a disposable camera. He will also be working with the IAHI to curate a series of music performances at The Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, just steps away from the IUPUI campus. 

Samuel E. Vázquez

Samuel E. Vázquez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1970 to parents of African, Spanish, French, and Jewish descent. His parents recognized his artistic inclination at the age of four and encouraged him to explore the arts. In 1979 the family moved to New York City where Samuel first became aware of the graffiti that covered the city's subways and walls. By 1983 Samuel began painting and writing the subways using the name "Brame." He is a member of numerous New York City graffiti crews. After the New York City subway graffiti era ended, Vázquez shifted his focus to furthering his education. He holds degrees from New York City College of Technology, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, and the Herron School of Art and Design.

Vázquez's studio practice investigates human interaction and humanity’s resilience to rise above social constructs. Through the use of diverse materials these investigations are manifested via an uncommon, impulsive, and organic voice—full of vibrant colors, uninhibited gestures, and relentless energy.

Along with style writing, his inspiration is rooted in the works of Ed Clark, Jackson Pollock, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Vázquez’s work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and cultural institutions. He has lectured on the history of style writing in venues such as the Arts Council of Indianapolis, New York City College of Technology-CUNY, Indianapolis Public Library Central Branch, Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler Arts Center, and Indianapolis Museum of Art.

During his time at IAHI, Vázquez will be undertaking primary research on a historical Style Writing project.

Visit Samuel E Vázquez's website at http://www.samuelevazquez.com