It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of FRONT International’s 2025 edition. The world is a very different place in 2024 than it was when our Founder, Fred Bidwell, launched this ambitious initiative in 2016. Public and private funding priorities have changed to focus on the critical needs of our communities.

A realistic analysis of the support FRONT 2025 can gain from local, regional, and national funders has led the FRONT board to conclude that it is impossible to produce FRONT 2025 at the same high standards it established for its prior editions.

The board of FRONT made this decision 18 months before the planned opening of 2025, at a time when it would soon be necessary to enter into agreements with artists and partners for the 2025 exhibition. Our priority is to ensure that we do not risk the investment our funders and supporters have made or disappoint artists and audiences with an exhibition that is less than their expectations.

In light of this decision, we want to assure our supporters and stakeholders that we intend to return any contributions to our 2025 exhibition and satisfy all our obligations to our staff, vendors, and contractors.

It is incredibly disappointing that we will not be able to realize the vision of FRONT’s 2025 Artistic Director, Asad Raza. Raza has outlined a thoughtful and relevant plan for our 2025 exhibition and has been in dialog with a brilliant group of artists.

We would also like to thank the leaders of our small staff team, Sarah Spinner Liska, Managing Director, and Magdalena Moskalewicz, Chief Curator, for their dedication and professionalism.

FRONT could never have been possible without the efforts and enthusiasm of scores of donors, volunteers, interns, and loyal supporters.

Finally, thanks to the artists whose insight and creativity made FRONT 2018 and FRONT 2022 such inspiring experiences. FRONT was created for and by you.

Helen Forbes Fields, Board Chair

Fred Bidwell, Executive Director

The FRONT Exhibition Company Board of Directors