221A works with artists and designers to research and develop social, cultural and ecological infrastructure. 221A envisions a pluralistic society in which all people have the means to access and make culture. focuses on the development of research that leads to social, cultural, or ecological ‘infrastructure’. 221A defines infrastructure as flexible, semi-permanent projects and systems that exceed traditional forms of (art) production in their capacity to respond to fluctuating realities and needs. Whereas 221A’s peers and mentors—ARC’s and public galleries—are institutions that commission and exhibit artist works, the fellowship and infrastructure model empowers artists to use the institution itself as a medium. Fellows mobilize an expanded set of instruments—finances, communications, facilities, and human resources—to realize projects that intervene in, and hopefully transform, our contexts in contemporary society.