named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist Residency
Provides Black trans femme visual artists with free studio space, equipment, materials stipends, and community engagement opportunities at BTFA Studios in Brooklyn Navy Yards
BTFA Productions
Executive produces creative projects led by NYC-based Black trans femme artists, including music releases, videos, and performances, with support for distribution and community engagement
Public Programming
Curates art showcases and performances featuring Black trans femme artists, including events like The List Launch and Juneteenth Jubilee, to connect artists with the public and broader art community
The List
Online database of Black trans femme artists worldwide, launched with a public showcase and used to connect and feature talent in BTFA events and productions
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding artistic production and community support for Black Trans Femme individualsProvides grants and sponsorship to Black Trans Femme artists and individuals for art production, healthcare support, and community aid, including targeted funding for mothers and individuals in need.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Operating an artist residency program with studio space and resourcesRuns a residency program at BTFA Studios in Brooklyn Navy Yards, providing free studio space, equipment, stipends, and professional development opportunities to Black trans femme visual artists, with requirements for community contribution.
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LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 1 activity
- Organizing public art showcases and performances for Black trans femme artistsHosts public events, open mic nights, live showcases, and performances to highlight and connect Black trans femme artists with the broader art community, including the launch of "The List" and participation in events like OTA Weekly.
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Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support Services 1 activity
- Providing mutual aid and emergency financial support to Black trans individualsOffers direct mutual aid and emergency funding to Black trans people, including support during the pandemic and for protestors, with documented distributions such as $5,000 to Black trans and queer creatives and the launch of the Black Trans Protesters’ Emergency Fund.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Building community and capacity through ongoing programs and resource sharingFacilitates artist meet-ups, Ballroom Labs, Art Visits, and maintains an Artist/Resource Directory to strengthen networks, share skills, and connect Black trans femme artists with opportunities and institutions.
- Executive producing and distributing artistic projects by Black trans femme artistsExecutes production, supports distribution, and facilitates community engagement for artistic works led by Black trans femme artists in New York City, including music releases, music videos, and visual projects.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.11M
Contributions & grants$1.11M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.62M
Program expenses66%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$470K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$611K
Cash$362K
Investments$0
Liabilities$42K
Net assets$568K
Liquid reserves2.7 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +0.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JORDYN SMITH | EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $118K |
board members · 4
- DARRA GORDON — TREASURER
- LAUREN A ZELAYA — BOARD MEMBER
- RAQUEL WILLIS — BOARD MEMBER
- TATUM TURNER — SECRETARY
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- ALTON A MOSS Partner — Recipient of grant for art production.
- Arts Business Collaborative Partner — Co-sponsored a femme queen rap battle in Summer 2021, contributing to a $2,000 cash prize.
- BTFA Collective Network — BTFA Collective is the organization managing the BTFA Productions program and artist network.
- Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, Inc. Network — Organization maintaining a collective network for Black trans femme artists.
- Black Trans Travel Fund Partner — Collaborated on the launch of the Black Trans Protesters Emergency Fund in June 2020.
- Black Trans Travel Fund Partner — Collaborated with BTFA to launch the Black Trans Protesters’ Emergency Fund.
- Courtney Balenciaga Partner — Co-hosted a femme queen rap battle in Summer 2021.
- Eve Harlowe Partner — Artist-in-residence at BTFA Studios in 2022 who produced photographic work during the residency.
- For the Gworls Partner — Collaborated on the launch of the Black Trans Protesters Emergency Fund in June 2020.
- For the Gworls Partner — Collaborated with BTFA to launch the Black Trans Protesters’ Emergency Fund.
- Intersectional Voices Collective Partner — BTFA sponsored the Juneteenth Jubilee event organized by Intersectional Voices Collective, which centered the self-liberation of Black trans and queer people.
- JORDAN ANDRE HOWARD Partner — Recipient of grant for art production.
- Kiyan Williams Partner — Artist whose work was created or hosted at BTFA Studios.
- Kiyan Williams Partner — Artist-in-residence at BTFA Studios from 2020 to 2022 who created and exhibited work through the residency program.
- Mya Mirari Partner — Manager of Programs at BTFA Collective who coordinates art visit invitations.
- Open to All Entertainment Partner — Co-hosted "What It Gave," a party/mini-ball celebrating the fem queens of the ballroom scene.
- Raquel Willis Partner — Author and memoirist whose book cover was photographed at BTFA Studios.
- Reuniting of African Descendants Partner — Collaborated to distribute financial aid to Black trans and queer creatives during the COVID pandemic.
- STACY LOVE Partner — Recipient of Mother's Day sponsorship.
- TRANS AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE SUPPORT Partner — Recipient of funding for health care support.
- TRANS EQUITY CONSULTING Partner — Recipient of sponsorship funding.
- Tenz Magazine Partner — Co-hosted "What It Gave," a party/mini-ball celebrating the fem queens of the ballroom scene.
- Texas Isaiah Partner — Photographer who created the cover image for Raquel Willis's memoir at BTFA Studios.
- The Okra Project Partner — Collaborated on the launch of the Black Trans Protesters Emergency Fund in June 2020.
- The Okra Project Partner — Collaborated with BTFA to launch the Black Trans Protesters’ Emergency Fund.
- VICTORIA VON BLAQUE Partner — Recipient of community aid.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Centered Resourcing for Artistic Thrivingmethodology: community-centered_resourcingBy building community and providing direct resources to Black trans femme artists, the organization enables the production and preservation of their art and culture, because systemic underrepresentation and lack of access are root barriers to creative expression and cultural continuity.
- Intergenerational Cultural Continuity in Ballroommethodology: intergenerational mentorshipBy facilitating structured mentorship from established Black trans femme performers to emerging artists within Ballroom culture, the organization preserves intergenerational knowledge and strengthens community lineage, because cultural resilience is sustained through lived transmission of art, history, and identity.
- Leadership-Centered Creative Autonomymethodology: leadership-centered fundingBy restricting funding and production support to projects led by Black trans femmes, the organization ensures the centrality of their creative vision, because authentic representation and cultural preservation depend on self-determination and resistance to institutional gatekeeping.
- Removal of Structural Barriers Through Holistic Supportmethodology: barrier_removalBy addressing healthcare, housing, food, and legal needs alongside resource access for materials and studio space, the organization supports the holistic well-being of Black trans femme artists, because safe and stable living conditions are foundational to creative thriving and sustained artistic production.