Our History

QMAD was incorporated as a cultural-educational 501c3 organization in 2005. As the vision and product of the collaboration between New Media Artist, Hector Canonge, and Architect, Gonzalo Casals, QMAD was officially launched the same year with a public cultural program for the borough.

In partnership with cityXposed, a monthly literary event where writers present their work, QMAD presented "Art Component" in 2004. The media presentations invited artists residing in Queens to present their videos and multimedia projects in various venues around New York City.

Since 2005 QMAD has been producing and organizing FRAMING AIDS, Queens' Annual Observance of World AIDS Day Through The Arts. FRAMING AIDS is a program designed to contextualize the re-emergent World wide concern about the AIDS Pandemic, and its effects on populations around the globe and in local communities. The program consists of film screenings, art exhibitions, online media projects, and community workshops to tell stories, present information, and facilitate a better understanding of the HIV/AIDS.

QMAD also runs CINEMAROSA, the monthly independent film series created in 2004 by Hector Canonge. As Queens’ Only Queer Film Series, CINEMAROSA presents FREE SCREENINGS of Independent LGBT films, organizes media events, and facilitates a safe environment for filmmakers and LGBT audiences. Screenings take place EVERY THIRD SUNDAY of the month: February-June (Spring Series), July and August (Summer Program), and September-January (Fall Series).