Speaking the language of the soul

Carnivals

Carnivals, originating from a blend of Catholic and pagan traditions, were historically celebrated as feasts of the flesh before lent. They served to drive away evil spirits and critique societal norms while expressing liberty through character creation, dance, and lyrics in a colorful, chaotic, and festive environment.

In the 17th-18th centuries, Carnivals were introduced to modern Southern U.S. and Caribbean settlements like New Orleans and Puerto Rico by Spanish and French colonialists, including Canarian Islanders and African slaves who integrated and hid their religious beliefs into costumes, dance, and music.

Today, Carnivals are annual celebrations typically held in February or March, spanning from a few days to a few months. They blend traditional rituals with modern entertainment such as group costume contests, queen’s galas, drag shows, and street theater. The streets come alive with music stages and elaborately decorated trucks, cars, and bikes. Participants express creativity and make sociopolitical statements through costumes ranging from simple masks to elaborate full-body ensembles and group themes, engaging in humorous and character-based interactions.

FUNDSTUME plans to collaborate with organizations hosting Carnivals across the U.S. and globally, as listed further below. FUNDSTUME’s initiatives include researching, documenting, and publishing the historical, cultural, and religious contexts of costume art. Additionally, FUNDSTUME aims to develop new costume concepts and activities tailored for these vibrant Carnival environments.

Through the Grant Giving Program, FUNDSTUME will provide funding to several out of 33+ organizations for running their events and to select independent groups for carrying out activities within those and for executing similar independent events. In addition to financial support, FUNDSTUME will offer
human resources for project execution and fiscal sponsorship services.