Imagine MKE’s Post

Catch our new #Rays podcast at the link below #raysup #heretostay

Boston Ujima Project, 'How can art help us understand and address issues of racism and social justice in today's society?' Art has a unique capacity to confront and unpack issues of racism and social justice because it transcends language, speaking to people’s emotions and lived experiences. It serves as a mirror and a lens, reflecting societal inequalities while offering new perspectives on these struggles. By capturing the nuances of identity, injustice, and resilience, artists can stimulate critical dialogue, disrupt complacency, and foster empathy in ways that statistics or policy debates often cannot. For example, visual and performance arts that center on Black history or the experiences of marginalized communities create spaces where viewers can process systemic racism in a personal and visceral way. Such art informs and transforms the viewer, encouraging deeper understanding of how racism affects individuals and communities, past and present. Additionally, art amplifies the voices of those who are often silenced. It gives people the power to narrate their own stories, challenging dominant narratives and making visible the structural inequalities that perpetuate racism. Public art movements, such as murals or installations, can reclaim spaces and push for social change, acting as catalysts for community solidarity and activism. Art’s role creates historical memory, reminding society of past injustices while inspiring the imagination for a more equitable future. In this sense, art not only addresses the trauma caused by racism but also offers a vision of healing and progress. Ultimately, art has the power of presence to build bridges between communities, inspiring collective action and mobilization to address social justice issues. Artists like Tomashi Jackson exemplify this by using their work to investigate the intersections of race, politics, and history. Jackson's art layers abstraction, history, current events, and documentary elements to highlight issues like voter suppression, segregation, police brutality, and systemic racism to ignite a shared vision for justice and equity. Thank you for sharing.

Learn more the #restoration updates and what's next for the Castro Theatre in the link below!

Our Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) Division announced today that 25 artists and arts organizations across Colorado have been awarded Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grants, from Archuleta to Larimer counties and Huerfano to Denver counties. Learn more about how these grants will help preserve, celebrate and document the local artistic traditions and heritage of unique Colorado communities. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gppEdji9

“Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.” Pure wisdom, surely. As old as the world. Factually. And certainly not limited to human species only. Or an eye for an eye, or two or more 🤔 depending on hubris and power level? Or the place one finds oneself on the human(e) enlinghtment scale. Age helping there. Sometimes. While wisdom can be applied by those having educated their minds and hearts, even without thinking, as action made it habbit, which percent of the population do they represent? Not judging. How many did have the chance to educate their hearts&minds? How to help the others? Hasn’t church tought us so? Hasn’t school thought us so? Haven’t institutions thought us so? Yet - how many of those teaching us the greatest lessons of morality, kept true to their own teachings? Leading by example? #UN - STOP ✋ preaching what you’re absolutely incapable of doing. Starting from the head. Start becoming utterly embarrassed of your own futility. Proven. Once & again. While in times of peace preaching without action is not harmful, in times of war this is pure & absolute mockery. Much worse and condemning than that of a church. Whichever. Change for the better is needed. Urgently. For there is nothing worse than hearing a lesson on morality, taught by a fortunate dude climbing up the #UN ladder, to a gunman going wild to protect his family. Having no possibility to do anything else with his own life than being on a constant watch to protect his family from famine, destruction & injustice. Of any sort. #LinkedIn - Do NOT delete the message. A wake up call is needed. And only public opinion can help there. As those benefiting from doing nothing have less incentives to bring the needed change in the world #ianbremmer #schoolofmoralambition #moralambition #woutervannoort #rutgerbregman

Fundamental to establishing international peace and unity.

How can funders, organizers, arts administrators, and artists work together to strengthen the field of socially engaged public art? From 2020–2023, Danya Sherman and I embedded ourselves in the Mural Arts Institute's (MAI) Public Art and Civic Engagement (PACE) Capacity Building Program. We helped MAI trace the overall program trajectory in real time and helped participants reflect on and document their accomplishments. Now I'm pleased to share Learning Together: Reflections on the Public Art and Civic Engagement (PACE) Capacity Building Initiative, authored by Danya and me as Congruence Cultural Strategies, with contributions from and reviewed by PACE participants. More than just a report, this expansive document is a resource for funders, organizers, and arts administrators, with recommendations for planning their grantmaking and programs in support of artists & communities of color. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eRpaxxG5

15 First Nations art professionals have been selected to participate in the 2024 Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program at the National Gallery of Australia. The program brings together a group of emerging and established arts professionals with varying backgrounds and areas of expertise to enhance their industry knowledge and network and develop new skills. Maggie-Jean Douglas, Kabi Kabi people/South Sea Islander Madeline Poll, Torres Strait Islander people/South Sea Islander Dominic Guerrera, Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna peoples Desirai Saunders, Gunggari people Sandy Harvey, Kalkadoon people Summer Sorensen, Darumbal/Torres Strait Islander peoples Georgia Hoskinson, Badtjala / Butchulla peoples Noah Watson, Butchulla & Kuku-Yalanji peoples Nicola Ingram, Palawa/Wiradjuri people Rodriguez Pindiying Wilson Nalorlman, Thyemirri people Carly Lane, Murri people Sylvia Wilson, Martu people Shanysa McConville, Eastern Arrernte people Marcus Wright, Wiradjuri/Gamilaraay peoples Shane Nelson, Wiradjuri/Walgalu/Gumbaynggirr peoples The Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is made possible by the Gallery's First Nations Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts.

Often referred to as "the Olympics of the art world," the Venice Biennale shapes the tastes of curators, critics, collectors and dealers. Through the lens of the current edition, artnet and the Art Resources Team at Morgan Stanley, led by Ferdousi Islam, take a look at the historical marginalization of Latin American artists and explore four case studies that highlight some of the regional intricacies. Read the full article: https://mgstn.ly/3WASjnF

What I don't understand is why the people in power undervalue the Arts. There are so many ways in which we benefit as a society, as a community, as an individual from access to the Arts. The Arts are a tool. Use them to mend what is broken, Use them to inspire when hope has gone. Use them to regenerate. Use them to soothe. Use them to make us laugh. Use them to Educate. Use them to communicate. Use them to prevent violence. Use them to fight prejudice. Use them for health. Use them to cause us to question ourselves. And others. Use them to be analytical. Use them to find new creative solutions. The Arts could benefit everyone. I am sure you could add to this list.