jonCates

jonCates is widely recognized as a key figure in the glitch art movement. His approach calls attention to the imperfections and aberrations often avoided in “high-end” digital art circles. His work is highly experimental and pushes different elements of the machine world to their extent. His goals include divesting from systems of oppression. Over the last two decades, Cates has founded various archives, educational programs, and festivals centered around these digital art approaches.

Cates’s work is exhibited online and distributed by the Video Data Bank. His exhibitions include the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow, Scotland; Hong-Gah Museum, Taipei, Taiwan; the Instituto Cultural de León, Spain; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; the MuseumsQuartier, Vienna; Rhizome, New York; Kasseler Kunstverein, Germany; the Vancouver Art Gallery, Canada; the Wrong Digital Art Biennale, São Paulo, Brasil; and many more. After his hiring at SAIC, Cates developed the New Media Art curriculum. The curriculum was ranked Best New Media Program in Best Fine Arts Schools by US News and World Report. Cates previously served as Chair of Faculty (2020 – 2021), Chair of the Faculty Senate (2016 – 2017), and Chair of the FVNMA Department (2012 – 2016).