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The Bronx Museum's AIM Biennial celebrates the work of NYC artists
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Jan 21, 2026
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Courtesy of the artist
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Jan 21, 2026
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Since 1980, the Bronx Museum has offered New York City’s emerging artists a unique boot camp through its Artist in the Marketplace, or AIM, program, which works to not only further artists' careers, but also help them develop a community within the industry.
Every year, 14 artists are accepted to the nine-month, seminar-based program, which has also expanded to involve a post-program “convening,” in which graduates share aspects of what they’ve learned with the public, as well as a biennial exhibition, in which the fellows are invited to display their work.
The seventh biennial exhibition opens this Friday, Jan. 23. (The Convening is Feb. 7.)
“This is one of the more consistent and long-standing programs of its kind in New York City,” said Biennial co-curator Nell Klugman, who, until May, was the museum’s associate director of education and public engagement (she now works at Dia Art Foundation). AIM, she added, “is fairly unique in terms of its specific focus on building early career skills as opposed to being an art-making and studio program.”
Most city programs fit neatly into a traditional residency, studio or school format, in which accepted artists are granted space, a stipend or an education to focus on creating. But AIM emphasizes being part of a cohort, which Klugman says is critical for artists “as they embark on what can be, I think, a solitary or isolating creative profession." This remains perhaps as unique today as it was when the program started 46 years ago.
“An artist program that was designed around professional development was unique in its early days and, I think, paved the way for similar programs,” said Biennial co-curator Patrick Rowe, who is also the Museum’s director of education and public engagement. “I believe that now there's actually a great need for these programs.”
Film still from 'the money is in the blades' by Asia Stewart
Courtesy of the artist and Stepan Liubimov
Brooklyn-based performance artist Asia Stewart took part in the 2024 AIM cohort and will be showing an installation at the upcoming AIM biennial called “the money is in the blades” involving a tattered American flag hung beside a monitor.
Speaking from her Financial District studio space, which she uses for free through the nonprofit Silver Art Projects, Stewart underscored AIM's importance, especially in a city that has become increasingly unaffordable for artists.
“The program offers a picture of how to build a sustainable life as an artist in New York City, a place that's increasingly unlivable,” she said. “The AIM fellowship was really transformative for me."
This year’s theme, “Forms of Connection” – meant to inspire conversation about communal experiences – is thus almost meta.
“You enter a cohort with other like-minded artists you see on a weekly basis for three hours every evening at the Bronx Museum,” she explained. “And I think through the course of the fellowship program, we were able to form genuine relationships with each other.”
The Seventh AIM Biennial, “Forms of Connection” opens this Friday, Jan. 23. It will remain on view through June 29 at The Bronx Museum (1040 Grand Concourse, The Bronx). Admission is free for all ages.
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Hannah Frishberg
Hannah Frishberg covers New York City arts and culture. Got a tip? Email Hannah at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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