To Build and Sustain is a convening for independent art publishing organized by Momus, inviting publishers and editors from across Canada and the US to share resources, strengthen peer networks, and imagine more sustainable futures for critical art writing.
At a moment shaped by precarity, polarization, and censorship, the convening will look at how independent platforms for art discourse are built, and what it takes to sustain them over time. Invited participants will gather for two days of exchange focused on cross-border collaboration, shared infrastructures, and the evolving conditions of publishing today.
The convening will culminate with a Publishing Roundtable, a free public event on Saturday June 27, 7–9 pm.
The To Build and Sustain initiative began in summer 2025 as an online residency for independent practitioners developing publications and learning environments for art writing and criticism.
Participants: Kemi Adeyemi, The Black Embodiments Studio (Seattle); Emily Alesandrini, Slip (New Orleans); eunice bélidor, independent (Montreal); Adi Berardini, Femme Art Review (London, ON); Madeline Bogoch, BlackFlash (Saskatoon); Rose Bouthillier, Momus (Newfoundland); Frances Cathryn, Forging (unceded lands of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck near Taghkanic, NY); Allison Noelle Conner, Momus (Los Angeles); Kim Córdova, Boston Art Review (Boston); Gina Cortopassi, ESPACE art actuel (Montreal); Re’al Christian, Post/doc (New York); Kyle Dacuyan, Momus (New York); Alexandra Dumais, Esse arts + opinions (Montreal); Susan Gibb, Western Front (Vancouver); Sky Goodden, Momus (Montreal); Mariana Muñoz Gomez, Carnation (Winnipeg); Christina Hajjar, Herizons and Carnation (Winnipeg); Tempestt Hazel, Sixty Inches from Center (Chicago); Sarah Higgins, Art Papers (Atlanta); Molly Kleiman, Triple Canopy (New York); Jameson Johnson, Boston Art Review (Boston); Luther Konadu, Public Parking (Winnipeg); Mario Lewis, Forest Notebooks (Trinidad and Tobago); Whitney Mallett, The Whitney Review of New Writing (New York); Courtney McClellan, Burnaway (Atlanta); Lindsay Aksarniq McIntyre, Inuit Art Quarterly (Toronto); America Meredith, First American Art Magazine (Norman, OK); Maandeeq Mohamed, C Magazine (Toronto); Christina Nafziger, Sixty Inches from Center (Chicago); Michael Nardone, independent (Montreal); Tiana Reid, Pinko (Toronto); Daniella Sanader, independent (Toronto); rashid shabazz, Critical Minded (Baltimore); Mary Louise Schumacher, The Rabkin Foundation (Portland, ME); Brandon Sheats, Burnaway (Atlanta); Kiel Torres, Western Front (Vancouver); Lauren Tresp, Southwest Contemporary (Santa Fe); Lisa Tronca, ESPACE art actuel (Montréal); Catherine G. Wagley, Momus (Los Angeles); Lauren Wetmore, Momus (Brussels); Joy Xiang, C Magazine (Toronto); Neyat Yohannes, independent (Los Angeles); Lindsay Preston Zappas, Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles (Carla) (LA); Nazanin Zarepour, The Vermin (Toronto); Brandon Zech, Glasstire (Texas).
About the venue:
PHI is a multidisciplinary arts hub dedicated to presenting the most relevant ideas of our time through art and culture. Founded and directed by Phoebe Greenberg, in Montreal, PHI is committed to the creation, presentation, and support of contemporary artistic practices, by exploring innovative concepts and emphasizing collective experiences, engagement, and audience participation. PHI offers an eclectic program combining exhibitions, events, immersive experiences, an educational program, and artist residencies, fostering unique encounters between artists and the public.
“The To Build and Sustain Convening program created a meaningful opportunity to connect with other art-focused publishers and share our work, ideas, and strategies. Thank you, Momus, for organizing such an engaging and thoughtful program that connected practitioners in the sector together.”
—Adi Berardini, Founder and Editor of Femme Art Review
“The Momus “To Build and Sustain” Convening was invaluable for creating connections and community, and for sharing resources and realities in art magazine publishing today. Making space for this kind of exchange is essential to supporting the kind of work we do and the audiences we serve.
—Lindsay McIntyre, Executive Director, Inuit Art Foundation, and Publisher, Inuit Art Quarterly
“The Convening was exactly what I, as a publishing editor, needed. Independent art publishing is so different than other niche magazines, so it was inspiring and affirming to meet peers, many of whom are grappling with the same struggles that I am. The spectrum of more well-established, better-funded publications to scrappy zines were well chosen, and I learned that the grass is not greener for other publications. The work we are doing just is hard, no matter what, but vital to our diverse communities.”
—America Meredith, Publishing Editor, First American Art Magazine
