The School of Nonfunctional Studies (SNS) is an open, informal, and experimental school project started in 2020 by Simonetta Mignano, Hollis Mickey and Alice Mazzarella.
SNS is based upon the belief that meaning is not found in output or productivity or ‘function’ as it is situated in capitalist culture, but that meaning and purpose is actually found in what is nonfunctional in neoliberal and capitalist systems: interaction, presence, process, and awareness.
Adopting rhizomatic teaching models, it is a learner-driven school that endeavours to create the conditions that allow the crossover of practices and teachings, fostering the co-production, and mutual transmission of knowledge and craft. Every student, participant, teacher and collaborator involved is invited to experiment, practice and learn in a non-judgmental space.
The programming is designed to emphasize the process rather than the product. The programs intend to dissemble the hierarchical, hegemonic structures and systems of teaching and learning. Each course or activity fosters radically imaginative thought and invites participants to experiment with multiple ways of knowing and making.
The School of Nonfunctional Studies is located at Bivy in Anchorage, Alaska, but develops its programs in a variety of platforms. SNS programs have been held in person, online and in hybrid modality, both in the US and Italy.
At the School of Nonfunctional Studies the cost of most of the programs and activities is donation-based. Should cost be a barrier to your enrollment, please contact us at info@nonfunctionalstudies.org.