By Stephanie Rodriguez, Senior Grants Manager at BRIC
Originally Published by The Eisner Foundation on September 29, 2025
BRIC Arts Media (BRIC) is proud to share The Power of Us, a short documentary produced by BRIC TV with support from The Eisner Foundation. The film highlights the Intergenerational Community Arts Council (ICAC), a collective of New York City public housing residents and neighbors from Fort Greene and Downtown Brooklyn who come together to create arts programming by, with, and for their community.
The ICAC is an 18-month-long, cohort-based program representing multiple generations and cultural backgrounds. Each cohort selects an Artist-in-Residence through an open call, who works alongside members to co-create events and initiatives. The result is programming that reflects and serves the neighborhood—ranging from site-specific art-making and performances to health screenings, food drives, and workshops.
In the documentary, ICAC members Chasity Fryer, DaQuan Herring, Ketriana Yvonne, Squala Orphan, and his son, Hetep “Hetep BarBoy,” speak candidly about how the council has become a vehicle for their dreams and ambitions, offering pathways to become poets, playwrights, directors, and creative entrepreneurs. The film also showcases how the ICAC sets a new standard for community-rooted arts, featuring programming that is intergenerational, inclusive, and responsive to families, immigrants, elders, LGBTQ+ residents, youth, and individuals with disabilities.
As longtime partners, BRIC and the Performance Project at University Settlement see the ICAC as a model for how arts organizations can share power with communities of color, positioning residents as leaders and decision-makers. The Power of Us captures that transformation in action. Since 2023, The Eisner Foundation has provided leadership support for this initiative, strengthening intergenerational bonds across our community and positioning members as cultural curators and creators.
About BRIC
BRIC is Brooklyn’s leading arts and media institution, building the borough’s creative future through community-centered programming. With roots tracing back to the launch of Celebrate Brooklyn! in Prospect Park in 1979, BRIC now serves over 130,000 people annually. As Brooklyn’s Public Access Center, BRIC’s ‘Brooklyn Free Speech’ champions creative access for all communities. Its expansive programming encompasses visual art exhibitions, performing arts events, artist residencies, youth and media education, and the Emmy award-winning BRIC TV. From its Downtown Brooklyn headquarters and partnerships with 40+ schools and local institutions, BRIC continues to shape a vibrant, inclusive cultural landscape. To learn more about the ICAC, visit bricartsmedia.org.