Founded by Kate Bae in 2019, Women's Cactus for the Arts supports marginalized female artists nationally and globally. Inspired by her immigrant experience and playful misunderstanding of "caucus" as "cactus," Bae envisions a group of prickly, strong, resilient women, thriving through collaborative efforts.
Mission Empowering the Margins
As artists, we champion the voices of the marginalized and oppressed, striving to create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Vision A Collective of Creative Changemakers
We envision a vibrant international community where underrepresented female creatives thrive, connecting and collaborating to drive positive social change.
Core Values Inclusivity, Connection, Sustainability, Innovation
The project Seaweed Diary aims to raise awareness about the threats to marine ecosystems caused by climate change and inspire action for conservation. By cultivating improved seaweed strains, specifically the "Gijang-type seaweed," in the clean waters of Gijang, Busan, my collective Women’s Cactus for the Arts and Eco Action Forest will collaborate to create various artistic works, including visual art, interactive media art, and literary works. Through exhibitions and accompanying programs, we will engage the public and collaborate internationally to use art as a direct tool for climate action. We brought this crisis to the forefront at the Seoul Design Festival and the UN Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29).
This project, undertaken in partnership with Eco Action Forest x Women’s Cactus for the Arts for the first time, investigated the potential of art to address global issues, facilitating interdisciplinary dialogue among artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep-seated societal divisions and uncertainties. Inequality has exacerbated generational and gender disparities, threatening lives and livelihoods. This crisis demands reflection and a re-evaluation of our priorities. This project aims to foster a dialogue with US artists about the role of art in times of crisis. How can artists respond to these challenging times and contribute to a more just and equitable future?
