What is Fun-A-Day?

What’s the deal?

Fun-A-Day is an annual project in which anyone can participate, artist or not. You choose any project and work on it every day in January.

The idea began in Philadelphia in 2004. There are 7-20 projects and shows around the world every year, mostly across the US, but also in the UK and sometimes Australia.

How do I participate?

You can do the project and not the show, if you want! You can do it for yourself and not tell anyone, if you want! Some folks participate in their local shows, like ours in the Hudson Valley of New York State. Some participate online using hashtags like #funaday or #funadayforever. This year, the hashtags for our project will be #FunadayHV* and #funaday2025

You can post online, or not! To start your project, just START, preferably on January 1st. There’s no particular location or materials or anything. Just go for it. You don’t have to sign up in advance, you don’t have to announce it or tell anyone or anything, unless you choose to.

*(For those unfamiliar with hashtags: if you post something from your project on Facebook or Instagram, and add that phrase [spelled consistently, with the # at the beginning, no spaces!] in your text, that will allow people to find it. By clicking on the hashtag, you can see all the other posts with that tag.)

How do I sign up?

You don’t need to sign up for the project in the Hudson Valley, but you can, here, if it will help you remember to do it. If you want to do a project, just do one! Post online if you want to share. By signing up for emails, you will be able to learn more about our show.

What are the rules?

Work on your project every day in January. (Or just do your best, we won’t kick you out if you don’t manage to do 31 days!)

There’s no requirement to have 31 pieces, but it is fun that way. You can also just work on one or more things every day.

From the beginning, FAD has been a free, all-ages, unjuried, and inclusive show. The only limitation is NO HATERS: Don’t be TRASH (Transphobic Racist Ableist Sexist Homophobic.) This a queer-led, anti-racist project. Projects that encourage racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism, homophobia, violence, or any kind of hate we will not be displayed and will receive a barrage of negativity, and make everyone sad.

Furthermore, the show will be MASKS MANDATORY. Covid isn’t over and it’s no joke.

How many people do Fun-A-Day?

In the Hudson Valley our show usually has 12-30 participants. In other towns and cities they get anywhere from 5-300! It’s hard to say! This idea has generated thousands of pieces of art over the years!

What should I do for my project?

What is fun for you? What have you been meaning to do/learn/practice? What will you still enjoy after 5, 15, 27, 31 days of this? What can you fit into your life that will bring you some joy?

Do I have to think of something no one has ever done before?

No! Do what’s fun for you. (If you’re copying someone’s super original idea, maybe check with them first, though.)

What if I start doing it and it’s boring or I hate it or I’m bad at it?

Keep at it anyway, if you think that’s good for you. OR do something entirely different! Switch it up!

What are some examples of things people have done in the past?

Haiku-A-Day, Art-on-Record-Cover-A-Day, Piggyback-Ride-A-Day, Pop Punk Song and Video-A-Day, Mending-A-Day, Dream Interpretation, Haircut-A-Day, Mask-A-Day, Dryer Lint-A-Day, pie-a-day, floss-a-day, animal letters of the alphabet a day, Doily-A-Day, Crime-A-Day, Playlist-A-Day, glitter-bomb-postcards-to-politicians, Collage-A-Day, Meditation-A-Day, Dance-A-Day, Pottery-A-Day, Video-A-Day, Scrabble-A-Day, Embroidery-A-Day, Weaving-A-Day, Learning a new word every day, Book report a day, Knot-A-Day…SO MANY MORE!

How do I display my art?

That’s up to you!

Online: If you want to, post your work every day (on Facebook, Instagram, or on another page we are setting up and will email participants about!) If you’d prefer, post only your favorites, or wait till the end of the month or February, and post the whole thing at once! It’s up to you and what works for your project.

When thinking about how to best display your work, remember that many venues don’t allow holes in their walls, and we have to share limited space. It’s not an art gallery*, so we have to be creative. It’s best to have lightweight pieces that are easily taped to the wall, or hung on string, or put in a book, or displayed on a table. Contact the FADHV organizers for help if you don’t know how to get your work together.

If your project involves performance, please let us know! We’d love to have you perform at the show.

If your art requires a screen, you should bring your own laptop/tablet, and do not count on the venue’s wifi- have your work downloaded in advance!

*probably

Is there wine and cheese at the opening?

Nope- no alcohol but we will have seltzer and juice and folks can buy coffee or snacks from the coffeeshop. (2023/2024)