The organization you’re referring to—CARE: Creative and Radical Explorations—is an emerging free art school community known as IAFS (Institute for Art and Free Schooling).
It was founded in April 2020 by artists and educators following the closure of the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). IAFS operates as a decentralized, self-organizing collective that emphasizes democratic principles, mutual aid, and artistic experimentation.
https://www.iahe.com/about/therapies
About IAFS
IAFS was established in response to the challenges faced by traditional art institutions and aims to create a space where art and learning are deeply interconnected. The abbreviation “IAFS” initially emerged as a reversal of “SFAI,” symbolizing a fresh start. The meaning of “IAFS” continues to evolve through the collective’s activities and discussions.
The community is guided by principles that emerged from their cornerstone course, “How to Become a 21st Century Art School,” which include:
- Commitment to mutual aid and collective benefit.
- Development of expressive skills and critical engagement.
- Exploration of all media and genres without gatekeeping.
- Emphasis on community care, kindness, healing, and trust.
- Engagement with history and critical theory to inform artistic practices.
IAFS fosters a supportive and non-hierarchical environment where participants can freely explore and develop their artistic practices.
Current Status
As of now, the official website of IAFS (http://i-a-f-s.org/) is not accessible. However, you can learn more about the organization and its activities through the personal website of Jacob F. Zimmer, one of the founding artists. His page provides insights into the community’s principles, guiding documents, and examples of their artistic projects: