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= JAM (Just Above Midtown) =

JAM (Just Above Midtown) was a ground breaking art gallery in New York City, from 1974 - 1986.

History
Founded in 1974 by Linda Goode Bryant, JAM was a non-profit interdisciplinary artists’ space that supported new work by emerging visual, video, and film artists, choreographers, musicians, writers, and performance and theater artists.

Located in the then heart of New York’s commercial art world on West 57th Street, JAM’s mission was to provide a platform for the exhibition and sale of work by black women artists equal to the venues available to their white counterparts. The gallery focused on artists working in noncommercial, nonrepresentational styles.

Originally located on West 57th Street, JAM was the first gallery space to exhibit the work of African-American artists and other artists of color in a major gallery district. At JAM’s inception, works by artists of color were primarily exhibited in community centers and cultural institutions in African-American, Native American, Latino and Asian communities.

The first exhibition at the gallery, Synthesis: was on view from November 19–December 23, 1974, featured work by David Hammons, Camille Billops, Elizabeth Catlett, and Norman Lewis.

In 1977, JAM moved to 178-80 Franklin Street in Tribeca. While it continued to operate as a commercial gallery and exhibition space, Bryant and her team emphasized live events, such as performances, readings, and lectures, at the Franklin Street location.[4] In May 1982, Bryant and Janet Henry published the first issue of Black Currant, a publication that focused on the work of artists affiliated with JAM.

JAM moved to its final location in 1984. At 503 Broadway, it ceased to be a commercial gallery and functioned as studio space. The publication became B Culture, edited by Greg Tate and musician and producer Craig Dennis Street. JAM officially closed in 1986.

Artists
JAM exhibited and presented work by artists such as: Maren Hassinger, Senga Nengudi, Lorraine O'Grady, Howardena Pindell, Adrian Piper, Fred Wilson and David Hammons among others.

External References
Audio Interview with JAM founder Lynda Goode Bryant and artist David Hammons.