Art21 encourages a wide variety of partners to host screenings, including schools (K–12 and universities); libraries; museums; nonprofit organizations; galleries; alternative art/cultural spaces; community centers; and more.

Yes, individuals can host a screening as long as they partner with a public venue and make the event free and open to the public.

There is no cost associated with being an Art21 Screening Society host.

All hosts will receive a free Art21 screening toolkit: private link to the film, Educators’ Guide, Screening Guide, and press images and logos.

As a host, you agree to cover any costs related to hosting an event at your venue. You also agree to submit photos, attendance numbers, and a guest registration information to Art21 following your event.

All Art21 Screening Society events must:

• Be free of cost to attend
• Have the intention to gather more than 10 people to view a film
• Be universally accessible—meaning that venues are equipped for those with disabilities
• Be advertised and open to the general public

Event types that do not qualify for the Art21 Screening Society include:

• A screening which charges a fee for participants to attend
• A single loop of an Art21 film in a museum setting or on a website (materials must be licensed when used for this purpose)

Museums and cultural institutions often report success with screening an Art21 film as a public event scheduled as part of related programming for an ongoing exhibition. Successful pairings of Art21 films and exhibitions have included: screening a film that features an artist whose work is in the exhibition; or screening a film whose ideas relate to an exhibition’s theme.

Community centers often invite a guest speaker (e.g. a local artist, curator, art historian, educator, etc.) to lead a pre- or post-screening discussion. Successful discussion topics have included: artistic processes; artists and their involvement in arts education; and the role of the artist in contemporary society.

Educational entities use Art21 films to introduce contemporary art in a variety of classroom and community settings. Art21 films present artists as role models for creative thinking and can be used across disciplines. Educators have developed lesson plans in science, language arts, history, and literature, among other subject areas, using Art21’s episodes as a broad foundation.

Individuals often host screening events in partnership with a local coffee shop, restaurant, art center, or gallery. Successful events have included informal book-club style discussions and tie-ins with local or regional activities such as gallery crawls, art classes, and cultural festivals.

The Screening Society allows hosts free access to screen one episode from Season 11 of Art in the Twenty-First Century. 

Screenings of films from Art in the Twenty-First Century Seasons 1–10, New York Close Up, Extended Play, and other Art21 series would require a licensing fee. To screen materials other than the newest season of Art in the Twenty-First Century, please see Licensing and Reproduction.

Through Screening Society you can screen one episode from the newest season of Art in the Twenty-First Century.

If you wish to screen more episodes or a past season, please see Licensing and Reproduction.

Season 11 of Art in the Twenty-First Century is comprised of 3 one-hour long episodes. The first episode, “Everyday Icons,” aired on April 7th, “Bodies of Knowledge” aired on June 23rd, and the final episode, “Friends & Strangers,” will air on October 20th on PBS.

Step 1: Set a date and location for your event

• Screenings of “Everyday Icons” must take place between April 8 and July 31, 2023.
• Screenings of “Everyday Icons” and “Bodies of Knowledge” must take place between June 24 and October 31, 2023.
• Screenings of “Friends & Strangers” must take place between October 21 and December 31, 2023.

Step 2: Register your screening with Art21.

You must submit the date and location of your screening at the time of registration.

• Register by September 30 for October screenings.
• Register by October 31 for November screenings.
• Register by November 30 for December screenings.

• Screenings of “Everyday Icons” and “Bodies of Knowledge” must take place between June 24 and October 31, 2023.
• Screenings of “Friends & Strangers” must take place between October 21 and December 31, 2023.

Yes, you will need to have a date set when you register. If this date changes, we ask that you please contact events [AT] art21.org.

• We will email you a link and password to download your Season 11 HD film file two weeks prior to your screening.
• You should download the film file as soon as you receive the link. As the files are large, make sure you have a steady internet connection while downloading.
• Once the file is downloaded, you will not need internet access to play the film.
• Film files should be tested in full prior to your screening and saved on a secure computer or hard drive until your event.
• Film files should be deleted immediately after screenings and should not be uploaded online.

The Screening Guide, Educators’ Guide, Press Images, and Logos will be available on our Resources Page.

• Step 1: Plan your Screening
  • • Preview the footage you plan to show. We will email you a link and password to download Season 11 HD film file two weeks prior to your screening.
    • Engage your audience; plan a post-screening discussion, or invite local artists to speak and answer questions. 
    • Use Art21’s Educators’ Guide and Screening Guide to get inspired!

• Step 2: Host your Screening

• • • Prepare and plan ahead. On the day of your screening, allow time to set up your screening equipment, test the sound system, arrange chairs, etc.
    • Take photos to document the event.
    • Set our guest registration sheet at the entrance to your event.

• Step 3: After your screening

• • Submit your photos, total number of attendees, and feedback or reviews to Art21 and we’ll share them with our online community.
  • Submit your guest registration sheet to Art21 following your event 
  • Use our follow up email template to send a thank you to your attendees.

• Use our Press Images and Logos (available on our Resources page) to promote your event in your community.
• Submit information about your event to local newspapers, magazines, radio stations, e-newsletters, blogs, and podcasts.
• Post updates to your organization’s/institution’s website and social media pages.
• Share your photos, stories, and other related materials across social media using #Art21Season11
  • On Instagram: Use #Art21Season11 and tag @art21.
  • On Facebook: If you are creating a Facebook event or posting about your event, please tag the Art21 Facebook page.
  • On Twitter: Use the hashtag #Art21Season11 and include a mention to @art21.

Yes. We will need the name of your venue, location, and the date and time of your screening. This information must be included in your online registration.