About - Protocinema

Protocinema is a nonprofit arts organization that collaborates with artists and institutions to create artworks that explore the shared human experiences connecting us all. At the core of our work is the belief that everyone has the right to live free from undue influence. We foster relationships across local and international contexts, bringing together people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds on equal footing. Since 2011, operating free of "brick and mortar" and maintaining a presence in both the United States and Turkey, Protocinema has advanced this urgent and nuanced mission through artist commissions, exhibitions, public programs, the Protocinema Emerging Curator Series (PECS) mentorship program, and Protozine exhibition texts. Protocinema's initiatives are grounded in our commitment to cultivating common ground in places where we live, gather, and grow together.

Values:

Quality of Expression: We believe that art and public programs should be derived from a long-term research process, address current social concerns, be sensitive to how these affect our personal or political beliefs, be open to counter positions and authentic discourse. We are interested in the intersections of cognition and perception, the processes by which people come to their belief systems, and how those ideologies in turn affect our societies and well-being.

Inclusivity and Accessibility: We strive for all of our projects to be articulated in a way that is readily accessible across culture, age, field, and background; to be free for all; and presented in multiple languages, as budgets allow.

Integrity: We believe that how something is done is as important as what is done. Whether it is the content of an artwork or its creation and presentation process, we value long-term development of relationships, and the production of considered art, grown over time. We value a “Do less, Better” approach.

Cross Culturalism: Our programs introduce new works to new audiences on an intimate grass-roots level across regions. This requires dedication on the part of both the artist and the Protocinema team on-site, long-term work within local communities where strong relationships and empathy are built. This is also a part of our educational philosophy, where education is gained through experience and exchange.

Team:

Mari Spirito Executive Director, Curator mari@protocinema.org
Dylan Seh-Jin Kim Protocinema Emerging Curator 2025-26 dylan@protocinema.org
Tamara Khasanova Adjunct Curator tamara@protocinema.org
Murat Orozobekov MuratBooks Bookkeeping accounting@protocinema.org

Board of Trustees:
Defne Ayas, Dillon Cohen: Vice President, David Howe, Jane Lombard, Ari Meşulam: President, Jason Heard: Treasurer, Sheldon La Pierre: Secretary

International Commissioning Committee:
Haro Cümbüşyan and Bilge Öğüt, SAHA Association, Istanbul, Adnan Yerebakan

Protodispatch is supported by Jane Hait and Justin Beal, Jane Lombard, and Helen and Peter Warwick.

Advisory Committee:
Stephane Ackermann (Emeritus 1969-2022), Augusto Arbizo, Yona Backer, Adib Dada, Koray Duman, Anne Ellegood, Reem Fadda, Lia Gangitano, Rose Lord, Becky Nahom, Anna Raginskaya, Helen Warwick.

Protocinema is a legally registered non-profit in the United States operating internationally.