VISIT DEAR FUTURE

Step into this immersive experience and witness the power of dreams, identity, and the future coming together in a collection of vibrant art and heartfelt stories.

We don't have a pop-up running in person at the moment but are actively looking for partnership opportunities to share the voices of these children. Know someone or are someone who would be interested in hosting it in their space?
Please reach out below.

If you want to experience the exhibit online, please check out our virtual tour.

Past Exhibitions

August 9, 2024 - September 3, 2024
Fashion Institute of Technology | New York, New York

FIT presented “It’s a Kid’s World! Play, Imagine, Create”, celebrating the creativity and imagination of children and the art of designing for young audiences. This exhibition highlights the importance of play, inquiry, and wonder, featuring interactive and educational elements aimed at engaging visitors and showcasing the work of FIT students alongside the Dear Future exhibition.

In the back gallery, a selection of work from our exhibit, “Dear Future: Elevating Children’s Voices” highlights the stories of a group of children residing in an orphanage in Cali, Colombia. Dear Future features photography, video work, and vibrant costumes, exploring the possibilities that emerge when vulnerable children are given the space to dream.

May 9, 2024
Union Square | New York, New York

We hosted an exclusive opening reception for the Dear Future Elevating Children's Voices art exhibition.  This special evening will feature a conversation with the exhibition's creative directors, a live musical performance by Colombian artists, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and the world premiere of this powerful exhibition. 


Aug
17

Spence-Chapin Family Day

We invite families connected to Spence-Chapin to join us on 8/17 from 10AM-12PM for a group walk through of the exhibit. This is the perfect Saturday activity that's fun for both kids and adults! The exhibit includes photos, video content, interactive activities, and more.

Walk through the exhibit with us and join both of our book readings at 10:30AM & 11:15AM. RSVP below to reserve your spot but walk-ins are welcome.

During the live book readings, talented illustrators Lily Qian and Shin-Yeon Moon will delight us with readings from their books, "A Cat in Central Park: Nine Lives is Just the Beginning" and "LaoLao’s Dumplings." They will share the magic of their creative process and how they brought their beautiful illustrations to life, making it a fun and inspiring experience for kids!

"It's a Kid's World! Play, Imagine, Create" is an exhibition that embraces a child's imagination, showcasing some of FIT student's best designs. We hope that by featuring Dear Future, visitors will be able to understand just how important imagination and dreaming are to kids living in institutionalized care.


Unable to make it? The exhibit is free and open to the public from 8/9-9/3, daily from 9-5pm.

We hope to see you there 💫

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Dear Future at FIT
Aug
9
to Sep 3

Dear Future at FIT

FIT is presenting the It’s a Kid’s World! Play, Imagine, Create” exhibition, celebrating the creativity and imagination of children and the art of designing for young audiences. This exhibition highlights the importance of play, inquiry, and wonder, featuring interactive and educational elements aimed at engaging visitors and showcasing the work of FIT students alongside the Dear Future exhibition.

In the back gallery, a selection of work from our exhibit, “Dear Future: Elevating Children’s Voices” highlights the stories of a group of children residing in an orphanage in Cali, Colombia. Dear Future features photography, video work, and vibrant costumes, exploring the possibilities that emerge when vulnerable children are given the space to dream.

About the Art and Design Gallery

The Art and Design Gallery brings together the work of FIT students, faculty, alumni, and invited outside artists in every exhibition. The gallery, located in the glass-walled lobby of FIT’s Pomerantz Center, is a window into the college and a window out, serving as a space to foster learning and innovation.

The gallery is open 9 am to 5 pm daily. This exhibition is free and open to the public.

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Women of Culture: Private Gallery Night
May
16

Women of Culture: Private Gallery Night

Join us Thursday May 16th to experience and learn about the Dear Future art experience while also mingling with fellow art-full New Yorkers during this intimate, private gallery night reception and art talk.

More than just an art exhibit, Dear Future is a movement born out of the desire to give children living in institutionalized care around the world the space to dream of brighter futures.

Created by Spence-Chapin, a non-profit organization that has been providing adoption and adoption support services for over a century, the mixed-media art exhibit features the dreams of children from an orphanage in Cali, Colombia.

It features magnificent costumes and masks created in collaboration with Colombian costume designer Felipe Ginebra and fashion designer Isabella Perez, which serve as artistic expressions of the children's ambitions and dreams.

Incorporating video, audio, photography, and costume design, the exhibit highlights the importance of supporting vulnerable children through the Granny Program, a global initiative that provides one-on-one attention, care, and play to the most vulnerable of children around the world.

We will have this beautiful and moving exhibit all to ourselves while we mingle over wine and light bites, with the opportunity to meet some of the creative team involved and learn more about the stories behind the work on display.

All tickets include wine & light snacks.

FREE for Art-full basic & premier members!

Event flow- 

6-6:30pm | arrival & mingling

6:30pm | chat with costume designer

8pm | close

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Special Panel Discussion
May
14

Special Panel Discussion

We invite you to a special panel discussion that explores the role that art and design can play in elevating the voices of vulnerable children. Panelists include:

Felipe Ginebra, Dear Future Costume Designer and Founder of El Desacato in Carnaval de Barranquilla, Colombia

Lauren Zodel, Assistant Professor at Fashion Institute of Technology, Fashion Department, Childrenswear Concentration

Natalia Mesa, Community Engagement Director at Ballet Hispánico

Rom Barnea, Pendulum Creative Agency Co-Founder and Dear Future Creative Director

Tickets for the panel discussion are $40. All ticket proceeds go to support children living in institutionalized care through the Granny Program.

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Public Viewing
May
11
to May 19

Public Viewing

  • 33 Irving Place New York, NY, 10003 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come experience Dear Future during our Open Gallery Viewing hours. Various days and times available. Suggested ticket price is $20 and all proceeds go to support children living in institutionalized care through The Granny Program.

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Dear Future Kids Workshop
May
11

Dear Future Kids Workshop

The creative directors behind Dear Future are delighted to bring the project to the children of NYC through an interactive workshop for children and their families! Join us for this special workshop that will include Dear Future letters, photography, and arts and crafts. Great for all ages, especially 4 and up!

All proceeds from ticket prices go to support children living in institutionalized care through the Granny Program!

Workshop Ticket Pricing:

$40.00 (1-2 Child Participants, and up to 2 supervising grownups)

$60.00 (3 Child Participants and up to 3 supervising grownups)

$80.00 Family Package (4-5 Child Participants, and up to 4 supervising grownups)

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Dear Future World Premiere Event: Opening Night
May
9

Dear Future World Premiere Event: Opening Night

Join us for our exclusive opening reception for the Dear Future Elevating Children's Voices art exhibition. This special evening will feature a conversation with the exhibition's creative directors, a live musical performance by Colombian artists, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and the world premiere of this powerful exhibition.

View Event →

Can’t join us in person? We’re bringing the exhibit to you! Meet the children, listen to their stories, and experience the power of dreaming in our new Virtual Tour.