ClUB rAmBUtAN

ABOUT CR

Our mission is to connect and nurture the growth of emerging intersectional artists from around the world, acting as a multi-channel platform to further amplify their voices and stories into mainstream media.

If you apply to a cohort and are selected to join, you'll receive:

Increased exposure of your work by having your interview and original cohort project published in our print magazine
Curated resources to encourage skill and career development through the online artist residency
An expanded creative network with other multidisciplinary artists through our alumni system

Learn more about our Online Artist Residency.

Maria Manaog (Founder & Editor in Chief) and Jasmin Lily Mobasher (Creative Director) come from very different career paths, yet the two share an inherent understanding that art is a powerful tool in storytelling and advocacy.

Art builds empathy across identities in our society, which is evermore crucial as politics, wealth inequality, and worldview differences continue to polarize us.

Creative industries often get a bad rap for being both exclusionary and underfunded. To challenge this, Maria & Jasmin aspired to develop a structure that feels approachable and accessible to marginalized artists.

Club Rambutan values intersectional life experiences, and is a community for creatives who embrace the nonlinear and non-traditional ways of breaking the norms.

As of March 2026, Club Rambutan became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. But since 2023, we have always strived to create professional development opportunities and resources that are accessible to marginalized and underserved artists who are looking to develop their portfolio and network, so long as they align with our 3 values...

Skill Sharing

Invest in your community by learning from each other, even as peers. Mentorship is not the only way to grow. Being able to relate to one another allows us to build solidarity and trust, which we encourage through the friendly exchange of techniques, ideas, and observations.

Be a Villager

We're all at different stages in our artistry. Comparison is the thief of joy. Recognize each other’s efforts and uplift each other in good faith. We embrace the fun, chaotic, beautiful journey of creative growth. A solid support system can fuel the inspiration and courage to keep improving.

Represent a Higher Purpose

We look for art that exposes new perspectives. It’s not just about pretty pictures. Create pieces that challenge, educate, and celebrate something that is valuable to you. Make things that make people feel.

When interviewing new artists for each cohort, we base our final selections on those who embody these.

Support Club rambutan!

CR is a team of 100% volunteer community organizers and multidisciplinary creatives.

We are self-funded and currently rely on event and merchandise sales to continue publishing our magazine and providing resources to our cohort artists.

Learn more about our long term vision and please consider donating via our official PayPal!

WHY THE RAM(BUTAN)?

Moments before writing the very first concept of CR, Maria was craving a snack: the rambutan.

Maybe the fruit itself symbolized the way that she hungers for fulfillment in life. And although she couldn’t get her hands on one that day, she made it the placeholder name until something better crossed her mind.

And well...

Club Rambutan isn’t just a black sheep; it’s a red ram(butan).

The red ram is a declaration of nonconformity, an emblem for those bold enough to show up as themselves. It’s not enough to look different — it’s about being defiant at heart.

We butt heads with the status quo, charging forward with the stories of the thinkers, makers, and trailblazers in our community.

But behind the horns, there’s a softness.

Being an artist is a wild yet vulnerable ride. It’s whimsical, chaotic, unpolished, and beautifully messy - we’re proud of it all.