I N T HIS IS SU E: Art and Justice: Black Lives Matter Murals Revisited | Make ArtsU Work For You Asian American Artists Confront Racism | DEI Framework | National Arts & Humanities Month
Americans for the Arts
THE SOURCE FOR ARTS PROFESSIONALS IN THE KNOW
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SUMMER 2021
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Published three times a year for our Professional Members, Arts Link provides insight and expertise on the latest trends, resources, tools, and ideas in the field of local arts agencies and arts professionals. Written by Americans for the Arts staff and guest contributors, Arts Link brings together arts advocacy news, member spotlights, and highlights of artists and arts organizations from across the country so that our members can continue to create a world where everyone has access to the arts and their transformative power. Arts Link Managing Editor Linda Lombardi llombardi@artsusa.org Arts Link Editorial Committee Regina Burgher Lauren Cohen Ben Davidson Graham Dunstan Isaac Fitzsimons* Heather Flanagan* Nicole Goodman* Cedeem Gumbs* Ruby Lopez Harper* Danielle Iwata* Jerelle Jenkins Nikki Kirk Pam Korza Clayton Lord* Christina Ritchie Marissa Shadburn* Ami Scherson Jessica Stern Inga Vitols* Patricia Walsh Ann Marie Watson * denotes content contributor this issue Arts Link Design Studio e2 Cover Black Lives Matter activism poster by Monyee Chau, courtesy of the artist. Inside Cover “Firmament” in Discovery Green, Houston, by artist Christopher Schardt, photo by Katya Horner. Advertising Opportunities For information about rates, schedules, and discounted advertising packages, please contact us at exhibits@artsusa.org. Copyright 2021, Americans for the Arts.
Calendar OCTOBER 2021 National Arts & Humanities Month
OCTOBER 15, 2021 Arts + Business Partnership Awards
DECEMBER 7–8, 2021 National Arts Marketing Project Conference
SUMMER 2021 Contents FEATURES
06 Asian American Artists Confront Racism Asian American artists lead the charge against the rise in anti-Asian hate
12 Art and Justice: Black Lives Matter Murals Revisited One year after Black Lives Matter murals appeared across America, communities continue to use art to hold the country accountable DEPARTMENTS
04 Working for You Americans for the Arts News
2020 National Arts Policy Roundtable, DIAL Goes Digital, Arts + Business Partnership Awards
10 Member Center You Belong Here
Convention Features Artists Paving the Way Forward, Member Spotlight: Darlene McClinton, Member Briefings
16 Leadership in Practice Inspiring Leadership Through Example
James McKissic and ArtsBuild, Next Steps on Our Equity Journey, Leadership Awards
18 The Toolbox Information to Help You Succeed
National Arts & Humanities Month, Coronavirus and Cultural Equity Digests, ArtsU, Arts Link Survey
02 From the President Message from President and CEO Nolen V. Bivens
03 Editor’s Note Preview of stories this issue, trivia, highlights from the bookstore, and web features
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 1
From the President
A
s the country continues the work of recovery and reopening, Americans for the Arts is going through a regeneration as well.
“ Every day, in ways big and small, artists, arts administrators, arts advocates, and staff at organizations across the country have rallied and proven how essential the arts are to our nation and to the healing we all need right now.”
AS THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO of Americans
To best serve you in this effort, Americans
for the Arts, I want to take this opportunity to
for the Arts commits to power sharing and
introduce myself to you, our valued members.
building mutually beneficial relationships with
I have been involved with the organization
those in the field doing the work. We will further
for almost 10 years—first with the National
develop a culture that centers equity within
Initiative for Arts & Health Across the Military,
our work, our staff, and our organization. Two
then as a board member, and now serving
pieces already in place are our Diversity, Equity,
side-by-side with the staff.
and Inclusion Framework and our Cultural
In my time as President and CEO, I have been struck by the passion and dedication I am surrounded by every day. The twin pandemics of this past year—COVID-19 and systemic racism—have devastated the arts and culture sector. Yet every day, in ways big and small, artists, arts administrators, arts advocates,
Equity Digest, both of which you can read about in The Toolbox section of this issue. In addition, our Cultural Equity Resource Center, Language Bank, and the framing of our work around advancing an Inclusive Creative Economy sets the stage for our work to be more transparent, measurable, and accountable.
and staff at organizations across the country
We know many of you are working in these
have rallied and proven how essential the arts
spaces and look forward to supporting you
are to our nation and to the healing we all need
in your work to advance and advocate for
right now. Our Annual Convention earlier this
greater equity in all facets of the arts and
summer focused on the resiliency and strength
culture sector. Fundamentally, organizations
inherent in the arts and shared the great work
are about people—the people on staff and the
and revolutionary ideas that are changing the
people in the community they serve. I believe
way we all work together—factors that will bol-
the arts and culture sector will come out of this
ster our sector as we continue the work ahead.
experience more united than we were before
The arts are instrumental to answering the nation’s calls for social change and equity. Data proves over and over that the arts create empathy, bring people together, and help us heal. I have seen these positive results firsthand with returning service members who use art therapy to deal with trauma. As a country, we are all recovering from trauma. There is a palpable need to build a new, equitable arts and culture sector—not simply return to “normal” and rebuild the previous
COVID-19. The word “community” contains both “unity” and “unit,” which feels appropriate in the case of the arts: while the arts are sometimes seen as having one individual creator, you need the community, the team, to make anything happen. Our future successes and setbacks all come down to uniting our community—those working to advance the arts at the local level. The arts and culture sector is a national asset. I look forward to working with you to ensure it thrives for years to come.
structures and systems that intentionally marginalized so many.
2 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
Editor’s Note Online
WITH REOPENING PLANS being announced
across the country, it’s hard not to be excited about the prospect of coming back “ARTS SPACES For Queer
together and experiencing live performances
BIPOC During COVID,”
again. The anticipation as the lights go down
a three-part series on ARTSblog,
before the play begins. The excitement when the
highlights the way in which queer
band strikes the opening notes of a song. The
BIPOC-identifying individuals
power and beauty of dancers moving across a
have preserved their art spaces
stage. As innovative as the digital space is and
Trivia
during a pandemic. Read the series online here.
as welcome a discovery as it has been, it simply can’t compare to the energy of a live show. We’ve been separated from this energy for
20 YEARS AGO, the influential
collective of artists and curators known as Godzilla: Asian American Art Network disbanded. Read more about their work and influence in our feature story, “Asian American Artists Confront Racism.”
17 long months and returning to it feels like coming home. What I find most exciting about this homecoming is the drive to not return to a “normal” that didn’t work, particularly for intentionally marginalized groups. There is a commitment to move past the way things used to be done and embrace a new way of being with each other that centers equity and community. As you’ll read in the pages of this issue,
BOOKSTORE
artists are at the heart of this new energy. In Asian American Artists Confront Racism, Irene Mei Zhi Shum expands on her popular blog from May about how Asian American
Center for Cultural Exchange African in Maine African in Justice Maine Artees esVida Vida The Esperanza Peace and Center Arte
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES IN CIVIC DIALOGUE
artists have used their art to address anti-Asian
Center for Cultural Exchange
hate. In Art and Justice: Black Lives Matter
Hawai’i Alliance for Arts Education
Murals Revisited, Isaac Fitzsimons looks at
Explore the efforts of cultural organizers King Kamehameha I Statue Conser The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center King Kamehameha I Statue Conservation Project working within and across cultures to ... ... ... C A S E S T U D I E S F R O M A N I M A T I N G D E M O C R A C Y
... “ ... ”“”“ .... .. ””“. .. .. “” ”“”“ “” .. ......“”“” .. “”“” .......... “ ” .. .“ ....... “”“”“”“” .. ”“”“”“ ....... ” ”“ ““”“ ... ... ”““ ”“ ....... ”. “”“ ... ..... ”“”“”“ .. “ .. ”“ ... ”“”“” .. “....“”..”“ ... ”“”. “”“” .......... “ ”“ ... ”“” “”“” ”“”“” “....... .. .... ”““”“ “ ... ... erspectives ”“”“ ”“ ... .... ”“”“ “”“ ... . ... in civic dialogue .......“ ” .. ”“ “”“ ... ”“”“”“ ”.. .. .. .“ ”“”...“” .. “”“” .......... “ ” .. .“ ....... “”“”“”“”
Cultural
P AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS
understand cultural considerations in arts-based civic dialogue work. Their endeavors
some of the murals that appeared across the country during the 2020 summer protests.
illuminate how cultural norms mediate public
We are actively looking to spread the word about
space and participation and how the choices
the work of our members in Arts Link and are
regarding art forms and dialogue approaches
particularly interested in stories about reopening
can support or discourage civic participation.
and recovery; ways you’re connecting with your
Buy your copy today.
community; work that centers diversity, equity, and inclusion; and how you’re incorporating
TRAPPINGS: STORIES OF WOMEN, POWER AND
discoveries from the past year into your current
CLOTHING Over six years, Tiffany Ludwig and
and future work. Please email me for more info
Renee Piechocki embarked on an interview
or to share your idea. I’d love to hear from you!
journey across the United States, talking with more than 500 women about what clothing means to them. Clothing offers a vehicle to
—Linda Lombardi, Managing Editor llombardi@artsusa.org
discuss the issues women face related to power and identity, including the expectations placed upon them by their affiliation with a specific gender, race, class, or profession.
LINDA LOMBARDI, (she/her) is the communications manager for Americans for the Arts, and a theater director and dramaturg. Read more.
Buy your copy today. Photo by Jendayi Asha Creative
AmericansForTheArts.org
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 3
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS NEWS
WORKING FOR YOU to basic needs that are not universally available like food, water, shelter, broadband, technology, capital, and education. + Strengthen capacity to tell local creative worker stories. Capturing and
activating local impact stories helps articulate the creative economy’s impact to community members and decisionmakers. This enhanced relatability pushes toward recognition and support of creative workers as essential to community health, vitality, and equity. + Seat creative workers at decisionmaking tables. Creative workers seated Virtual conversation during the 2020 National Arts Policy Roundtable.
NATIONAL ARTS POLICY ROUNDTABLE Centers Creative Workers
at decision-making tables, particularly BIPOC, disabled, and other untapped
the Roundtable explored what strong,
creative workers, would add necessary
inclusive, equity-centered investment
perspectives on how to move toward
in the creative economy could mean.
equity. This includes positions on advi-
Through the ambitious proposals that
sory committees, boards, and in public
arose, the arts sector, creative economy,
offices, and with adequate preparation,
and nation’s 5.1 million creative workers
training, support, and fair compensation.
can recover, thrive, and become a visible,
+ Resist returning to normal. Rather
valued, and essential component of a
than rebuild inequitable systems, a new
more equitable and prosperous nation.
pathway forward is vital, with a focus on
+ Shift the narrative about creative
how we value, identify, and distribute
workers. Creative workers, particularly
resources; training and skill-building
those who are intentionally marginalized,
with emerging technology; collaborative
have been undervalued, underpaid, and
methods of impacting and measuring
AT THE 15TH ANNUAL National
underrepresented in dialogues about the
impact on communities; integration of
Arts Policy Roundtable, Put
future of the sector. Resetting the rela-
young artist voices; and every decision
Creative Workers to Work: Reimagining
tionship between creative workers and
driven by racial and cultural equity.
Our Nation’s Creative Workforce, held
the creative sector from within, while
+ Maintain new coalitions and collective
virtually on December 1–2, 2020,
externally defining the creative economy,
action. Arts coalitions that formed in
discussion centered in part on the Put
is critical to shifting the narrative so cre-
reaction to the pandemic created more
Creative Workers to Work policy proposal.
ative work can be valued as meaningful,
egalitarian structures, inclusive of artists
Co-chair and Tony Award winner
necessary, and economically powerful.
and creative workers. Sustaining these
Brian Stokes Mitchell was joined by
coalitions in a post-pandemic frame will
artists, foundation leaders, union
+ Reposition creative workers as experts on their own needs. Addressing
representatives, philanthropists, local
past presumptions about how to support
+ Consciously situate arts, culture, and
arts agency leaders, arts educators,
creative workers is crucial for a healthier
creativity within broader societal issues.
and members of Congress to discuss
and more sustainable cultural ecosystem.
Intentionally implementing the creative
the dire state of the creative sector
This means prioritizing work by BIPOC,
sector’s ability to expand thinking and
due to COVID-19. Timed to explore
disabled, and other untapped perspec-
develop creative ways of embracing,
the implications of new Presidential
tives, as well as exploring artist-centered
informing, and catalyzing change can
and Congressional administrations
advisory funding models and recognizing
support our global and local communi-
as well as local- and state-level shifts,
that much of artmaking requires access
ties in crisis today.
4 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
be fundamental to a more resilient sector.
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
DIAL Goes Digital DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19, Americans for the Arts took the Diver-
sity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) internship program online in 2020. Now entering its 29th year and second virtual year, DIAL focuses on creating a more culturally equitable arts sector by providing undergraduate students underrepresented in arts leadership with internship opportunities, mentorship, professional development, and more. Rather than take a hiatus, DIAL continued in a remote setting, providing interns a unique virtual experience that seeks to
2021 Arts + Business Partnership Awards
educate participants on arts administration and support them through the path of arts leadership. For 10 weeks, interns work remotely at an arts organization in one of three
EACH YEAR, Americans for the Arts
national locations: Nashville, New Jersey, or New York City. In this virtual envi-
presents the Arts + Business Partner-
ronment, interns work closely with their organization, under the guidance of a
ship Awards, which recognizes businesses of
professional arts administrator as supervisor. Through Zoom and phone calls,
all sizes for their exceptional involvement with
interns gain a thought partner and support through a mentor. Interns also attend
the arts that enriches the workplace, inspires
DIALogues, virtual seminars where they engage with cultural equity topics, such
innovation, and transforms communities. Win-
as navigating the arts field as BIPOC emerging leaders and arts as a catalyst for
ners of this award become part of a network
social change. They also have conversations with artists and arts professionals
of like-minded businesses and leaders who set
in the field and have opportunities to network and engage with artists and arts
the standard for excellence and serve as role
administrators throughout the DIAL cohort and field. Thus, while still operating
models for others to follow.
online, DIAL continues to be a distinct and all-encompassing summer internship
This year’s honorees include:
for college students with an interest in cultural equity and arts administration. n
Audible (Newark, New Jersey)
n
NMG Network (Honolulu, Hawaii)
n
Underestimated People of Purpose (UPOP) (Denver, Colorado)
n
n
Universal Orlando Resort (Orlando, Florida) University of Michigan Credit Union (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
n
Vestar (Phoenix, Arizona)
The David Rockefeller pARTnership Award will be presented to PNC + Arts and Education Council (St. Louis, Missouri). The Leadership Award will be presented to Aziz Hasan, CEO of Kickstarter. The awards will be presented at a virtual gala on October 15, 2021. Visit AmericansForThe Arts.org/Partnership-Awards for more details!
Zoom meeting of 2020 DIAL interns and staff.
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 5
Resilience activism poster by Monyee Chau, courtesy of the artist.
ASIAN AMERICAN ARTISTS
CONFRONT RACISM by Irene Mei Zhi Shum
L
eading the charge against the
impeded the creation of families and
incidents of anti-Asian violence, accord-
recent rise in anti-Asian hate,
full integration into American life. The
ing to advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate.
Asian American artists are raising
Angell Treaty of 1880 regulated immi-
Located on opposite coasts, the work
awareness of the history and
gration of skilled and unskilled labor
of photographer Mike Keo and multi-
diversity of Asians in America; actively
from China and set the foundation for
media artist Monyee Chau exemplify
challenging the dual stereotype of the
the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which
this new generation of Asian American
Yellow Peril and the model minority, while
prohibited immigration and barred natu-
activist-artists who are working within
advocating for social justice, equity, and
ralization. Despite numerous challenges
their respective communities to counter
inclusion for all.
in the court, the Chinese Exclusion Act
racism and ignorance. Both skillfully
was not repealed until 1943 and only
employ social media to enlighten and
racist Gold Rush-era trope of the Yellow
fully abolished with the Immigration
effect change.
Peril, that cast Asians as a vice- and dis-
and Nationality Act of 1952.
The pandemic sadly resurrected the
ease-ridden population whose language
This new law helped establish the
In late February 2020, weeks before Connecticut declared a state of
and culture was unassimilable. For these
pernicious and divisive myth of the
emergency, Mike Keo started the viral
supposed reasons, in the early and mid-
model minority: the large influx of
social media campaign #IAmNotAVirus.
19th century, states and municipalities
Asian students and professionals, now
Unsettled by the xenophobic epithets and
along the West Coast passed anti-
permitted to enter the country, could
politicization of the virus and outraged by
Chinese laws. These local laws were fol-
more readily integrate and achieve
a racial incident targeting a family mem-
lowed by the first federal restrictions on
the “American Dream.” Their success
ber, Keo, who is of Khmer descent, began
immigration and naturalization. Although
and upward mobility have often been
taking portraits of Asian American friends
initially directed towards the Chinese,
unfairly and wrongly offered as proof of
and acquaintances and asked each
these laws were extended to ban other
America’s meritocracy, to deny systemic
sitter to share three #IAm statements
immigrant groups from East Asia, South
racist practices in housing, education,
about themselves, their interests, and
Asia, and Southeast Asia, including the
and access to opportunity that disen-
their passions. By presenting individuals,
Japanese, Indians, Filipinos, Malays, and
franchise communities of color. Most
#IAmNotAVirus humanized those who
Koreans. These laws helped to create the
bitterly, the model minority myth masks
would be subject to anti-Asian harass-
lingering century-old misperception of
the difficult truth of the disparity within
ment. Following the murder of George
Asians as perpetual foreigners, or provi-
Asian American communities, as income
Floyd, Keo initiated the social media
sional Americans, whose citizenship and
inequality in the United States is rising
campaign #IAmNotAThreat in support
national allegiance is open to question.
fastest among Asians, due to varying
of Black Lives Matter. As a father of two
levels of education and country of origin.
small children, Keo and a team of like-
The Page Act of 1875 was the first federal law restricting immigration—
Anxiety over COVID-19 brought these
minded artists developed and distributed
of any ethnic group. Coupled with
prejudices to the fore. Within the last
over 1,000 copies of a coloring book,
anti-miscegenation laws, the Page Act
year, there were nearly 6,600 reported
Asian American Pioneers, to educate
AmericansForTheArts.org
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 7
ASIAN AMERICAN ARTISTS CONFRONT RACISIM
The Chinese Question. 1871. Photograph. LOC.gov/Item/2005696252.
“ Photography was my outlet to transmute grief and outrage into the joy of being Asian American. Our lives are more than just hostilities and trauma.” Mike Keo Photographer
Godzilla group photo by Tom Finkelpearl, courtesy Tomie Arai.
young children on the historical contribu-
version was projected on High Street
tions of Asian Americans. Working with
in London, England, by W1 Curates.
the Make Us Visible CT campaign, Keo
Recognizing the current vulnerability of
successfully advocated to include Asian
Chinatown residents, Chau also designed
Pacific American studies in public school
a pamphlet resembling a take-out menu
curriculum in a bill that was signed into
titled “Chinatowns in America and The
Connecticut state law in June 2021.
Racism That Built Them” featuring
“Photography was my outlet to transmute grief and outrage into the
highlight the significance of Chinatowns
joy of being Asian American. Our lives
as safe havens for Asian immigrants.
and experiences are more than just
The menu was immediately downloaded
hostilities and trauma. I wanted the pho-
and shared over 18,000 times. Like Keo,
tographs to celebrate our individuality,
Chau took immediate action in response
what we loved about ourselves, and how
to the horrific murder of George Floyd,
our loved ones saw us. I wanted to send
designing another poster with a powerful
a resounding message that an attack
graphic of a crouching tiger and black
against us was an attack against your
panther circumscribed within a yellow
own neighbor,” says Keo.
and black yin-yang symbol and the
In April 2020, following a disturbing
8 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
historical facts and a list of resources to
inscription “Black Lives Matter: We
incident when white nationalists
stand in solidarity” (see front cover).
vandalized Asian-owned businesses in
Chau boldly states, “We take care of
Seattle’s Chinatown, Monyee Chau—who
each other and keep each other safe.
is of Taiwanese and Chinese descent and
Artwork can be the reminders we need
queer, and who was born and raised in
for the histories of our empowered
the neighborhood—created a poster to
communities and solidarity work across
bolster the spirits of area residents. Four
all marginalized peoples.”
simple line drawings of lion heads frame
Keo and Chau follow a long line of
the inscription: “Chinatown Filipinotown
Asian American activist-artists and cura-
Japantown Little Saigon / were all built
tors who deserve wider recognition. In
on Resilience / We will survive this too”
1990, artists Ken Chu and Bing Lee
(see page 6). The poster was wheat-
and curator Margo Machida founded
pasted around Seattle and a digital
Godzilla: Asian American Art Network,
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
Photos by Mike Keo.
an influential collective of artists and
The Art World: 1990–2001 that was
advocates, tenants fighting evictions,
curators in New York City. Its members
scheduled to open in May at New York
poets, nail salon workers, nurses,
included Tomie Arai, Allan deSouza, Karin
City’s Museum of Chinese in America, in
mutual aid and food pantry workers,
Higa, Arlan Huang, Byron Kim, Colin Lee,
protest over the museum’s support of
and community organizers from across
Janet Lin, Mei-Lin Liu, Stephanie Mar,
a new jail in Chinatown and in solidarity
the country. We also collected dozens of
Yong Soon Min, Helen Oji, Paul Pfeiffer,
with community groups and local resi-
artifacts including artwork, posters, polit-
Eugenie Tsai, Lynne Yamamoto, Alice
dents whose opposition was silenced.
ical statements, zines, videos, podcasts,
Yang, and Garson Yu, among many others. Members met regularly at Art in
The activism of the historic collec-
Instagram posts, and COVID toolkits
tive Godzilla, new groups like G19, and
from people of Chinese, Japanese, South
General, an alternative art space on
the individual work of recently activated
Asian, Cambodian, Korean, Arab, Thai,
the border of Chinatown, to present
artists like Keo and Chau inspire us
Fillipinx, Native Hawaiian, and Vietnam-
and discuss their work. They also
to find ways to make the arts and
ese descent. Coming to terms with the
published a newsletter and organized
our communities more equitable. Thank-
past and redefining the ways that people
exhibitions. In 1991 in an open letter,
fully, A/P/A Voices: A COVID-19 Public
and places will be memorialized is at the
Godzilla successfully petitioned the
Memory Project, initiated by the Asian/
heart of these conversations about social
Whitney Museum to include more Asians
Pacific/American Institute at New York
change. Documenting these experiences
in its exhibitions and staff, resulting in
University in collaboration with artists
is essential to the process of healing and
Byron Kim’s participation in the 1993
and scholars Tomie Arai, Lena Sze, Vivian
storytelling for all.” By giving voice to their
biennial where he debuted his powerful
Truong, and Diane Wong, is actively col-
communities, artists like Keo, Chau, and
work Synecdoche (now in the collection
lecting oral histories and artifacts created
Arai expand our understanding of the
of the National Gallery) and the 1994
during this urgent period of reckoning.
power of art to move us toward the inclu-
appointment of Eugenie Tsai as a curator
The materials will be preserved for future
sive American ideal: E pluribus unum.
and the director of its now closed branch
study at the NYU Tamiment Library and
in Stamford, Connecticut.
Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives.
Although Godzilla disbanded in 2001,
According to Tomie Arai, “The public
former members continue their individual
memory project is a radical rethinking
creative practices and remain politically
of the archives as an activist practice.
active. Several recently joined together
We recorded over 30 remote interviews
with other artists to form G19 and in
that reflect the complex and multi-fac-
March 2021, in a coordinated response,
eted experiences of Asian Pacific
withdrew en bloc from the comprehen-
American communities. These interviews
sive retrospective exhibition Godzilla vs.
included street vendors, sex worker
AmericansForTheArts.org
A shorter version of this story first appeared on ARTSblog on May 11, 2021.
IRENE MEI ZHI SHUM (she/her) is an arts executive and curator of contemporary art and architecture. Read more.
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 9
YOU BELONG HERE
MEMBERCENTER MEMBER CENTER
Larissa FastHorse, photo courtesy John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
ANNUAL CONVENTION Features Artists Paving the Way Forward
Nwamaka Agbo, photo by Bethanie Hines.
In what one attendee called “the most
“They want to manage or mitigate
honest and raw talk I have ever heard,”
risk and aren’t willing to lose assets.
playwright and MacArthur Fellow Larissa
But to be frank, taking a risk on actually
FastHorse called attendees in on racial
supporting social movements is nothing
justice, saying, “We’re not what’s leftover
compared to the lives being lost in
or broken; we are what our ancestors
the streets.”
dreamed for us and created us to be. Our Dakota culture survived generations of disease and invasions. Why must we deny our culture—on our own land—just to enjoy your art?”
THE 2021 AMERICANS for the Arts
Annual Convention took place virtually June 8–11, drawing together nearly 800 people from across the country to learn from over 60 presenters about advocacy, policy, creative economy, COVID-19 recovery, tackling systemic racism, and the way forward.
creative community of Greensboro, North Carolina, Black Theatre United,
while also creating spaces to collectively
Broadway for Georgia, and others, closed
envision a more vibrant and equitable
with a performance of The Keep Going
future creative economy. In addition to
Song, created by The Bengsons in the
hands-on trainings around research,
midst of the pandemic.
social media, and advocacy, Convention
“I pray that when we meet again that the
featured boundary-pushing conversa-
Alice Waters and Ron Finley; playwright
the digital space, and redefining
Larissa FastHorse; data artist Jer Thorp
resource distribution.
designer Allentza Michel; actress Annette
Mainstage speaker and restorative
world has changed into the world that we are imagining now together,” they sang. “For each other, and for our ancestors, and for our kids.” Thank you to everyone who joined us this year—and see you in 2022!
economist Nwamaka Agbo encouraged attendees to reassess how risk and restoration are tied together.
Bening; and arts advocates LaChanze,
“Philanthropic organizations often are
Seth Rudetsky, and James Wesley.
in ‘charity,’ not in ‘solidarity,’” she said.
10 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
Sebastian and Suzanne Furstenberg,
creative sectors over the past 18 months,
creative economy, artists’ rights in
public artist Vinnie Bagwell and civic
Islanders in Philanthropy, public artists the Be An #ArtsHero coalition, the
powerful keynotes from food activists
and philanthropy activist Edgar Villanueva;
Stay Down, Asian Americans and Pacific
celebrate the work done to support local
tions about decolonizing data, inclusive
restorative economist Nwamaka Agbo
with art from Thao and the Get Down
This year’s Convention was built to
Highlights of the conference included
and anthropologist Maribel Alvarez;
The conference, which was peppered
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
Member Spotlight: Darlene McClinton DARLENE MCCLINTON is
the grants manager for ArtsGreensboro, a community-supported nonprofit organization and the largest public
Put Yourself in the Spotlight
and private alliance dedicated to sustaining the Greensboro,
OUR MEMBER SPOTLIGHT series on
North Carolina, arts economy. Photo by Bert Vanderveen.
Co-founder of The Artist Bloc, an arts venue in Greensboro, McClin-
ton is also an artist, educator, entrepreneur, collaborator, ally, and advocate. Since joining ArtsGreensboro in December 2019, she has made a significant difference in their outreach efforts, diversifying their grant pool, and expanding their artist support grant applications over 400% from the previous year.
ARTSblog features Americans for the Arts members and the transformative work being done for arts education, public art, advocacy, arts marketing, and more. Would you like to be in the spotlight? Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Be part of the series and spotlight your organization!
In a recent Member Spotlight, McClinton discussed ArtsGreenboro’s grant
portfolio and how her experience as an artist serves her in her work as a grants
Sign up or nominate a colleague today!
manager, the importance of having artists at the table, and what inspires her as an artist. Read the full Spotlight on ARTSblog.
‘‘
Member Briefings
Having an artist at the table, such as the Downtown Greenway’s Public Art Committee, is imperative because of advocacy, serving as a spokesperson
JOIN AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS staff and
for the practice of art, and communicating the
fellow members once a quarter for
’’
importance of the arts in communities.
Member Briefings! Register online today. Upcoming Dates:* n
August 17, 2021 National Arts & Humanities Month Advocacy
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D ecember 14, 2021 2021 Looking Back and Looking Forward
Got a topic you’d like to know more about? Email us at membership@artsusa.org.
*dates/topics subject to change
“ Bridging The Gap” mural, The Downtown Greenway, designed and installed by Darlene J. McClinton + Creative Minds Team, photo by Darlene McClinton.
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 11
No Room For Racism Mural in Rock Hill, South Carolina, photo courtesy Brittany Kelly.
ART AND JUSTICE : BLACK LIVES MATTER MURALS REVISITED by Isaac Fitzsimons
O
n the morning of June 5, 2020, Washington, D.C., residents awoke to find the words “Black Lives Matter” painted across 16th Street NW in bright yellow letters.
Located a block from the White House, the 40-foot
mural spans the length of three and a half football fields and is large enough to be seen from space. It was commissioned by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, not only in reaction to the murder of George Floyd two weeks prior, which ignited world-wide protests against police brutality, but also, as stated by Mayor Bowser in an opinion piece for The Washington Post, to show who the streets of D.C.—affectionately called “Chocolate City” because of its large Black population—belong to, after federal police, helicopters, and unidentified armed personnel descended upon the nation’s capital in the wake of the protests. As similar murals began cropping up across the country, and even as far as Australia, the reactions have been polarizing. In some cities, such as Tulsa, Oklahoma, the murals have been subject to vandalism and removal. And notably, the Twitter account for Black Lives Matter DC called the D.C. mural, “a performative distraction from real policy changes.”
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 13
ART AND JUSTICE: BLACK LIVES MATTER MURALS REVISITED The United States is at a cultural Artist Vinnie Bagwell and I’Satta ©2016, 8’ plasticine in progress, New York State Council on the Arts, photo by Jonathan Lewis.
turning point with one group wanting to hold the nation accountable for its systemic racism, and another wanting to deny that systemic racism even exists. At the 2021 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, Vinnie Bagwell, a sculptor and last year’s recipient of the Pérez Prize for Public Art & Civic Design, spoke about how public art is uniquely qualified to shine a light on the parts of our history that some would rather remain hidden. In speaking about her project, “The Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden,” which celebrates the lives of the first enslaved Africans to be freed from slavery in the United States 64 years before the Emancipation Proclamation, she said, “I understood intuitively that if I’m going to try and introduce this story and have it accepted, I’m going to do it with beauty…I can tell the most
“ I can tell the most atrocious story as long as I make it beautiful… That’s the only way I can talk about the kinds of things that have happened to Black people in this country because the beauty slays first.”
Friendship Nine members W.T. “Dub” Massey (l) and David Williamson, Jr. (r) with Brittany Kelly; photo courtesy Brittany Kelly.
Black Lives Matter Mural, Greenwood District, Tulsa, photo by Alan Bates.
Vinnie Bagwell Sculptor and 2020 recipient of the Pérez Prize for Public Art & Civic Design
atrocious story as long as I make it beautiful…That’s the only way I can talk about the kinds of things that have happened to Black people in this country because the beauty slays first. Then they understand the story. I’m making it palatable.” One act of racial violence in U.S. history that is hard to swallow is the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. White mobs attacked, looted, and burned the homes and businesses of Black residents in the Greenwood District, leaving as many as 300 Black people killed; thousands more injured, detained, and displaced; and 35 blocks of what had been a vibrant Black neighborhood, destroyed. Almost a century later, on June 18, 2020, more than 50 people gathered in the Greenwood District to paint the words “Black Lives Matter” on the street. The day held significance as it was one day before Juneteenth—which commemorates the day in 1865 when the
n ithsonia
m sacre, S ace Mas d f Tulsa R istory an o H s in an ic ru of Amer Postcard African f o m u Muse National n. collectio Culture
last enslaved people were freed in Texas, almost two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—as well as being two days before former President Trump held a campaign rally in the city.
14 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
permission from the city, Kelly and
In November 2020, the city’s
first city to create a Black Lives Matter
While D.C. is credited as being the
her friends, family, and employees
local arts agency, ahha Tulsa, began
mural during the 2020 summer protests,
quietly installed the mural on July
showcasing the work of a local Black
the city of Tulsa became the first to have
Fourth weekend. While there were a
artist each month through murals on
one removed after another group wrote
few naysayers, reactions were overall
the side of their building. Additionally,
to city officials asking for permission to
positive, and “Friendship 9” became one
earlier in May, the city unveiled “Black
paint a “Back the Blue” mural near where
of the most Googled terms that week.
Lives Matter Street” a two-mile stretch
Trump made his speech. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum wrote
In a place like Rock Hill, which Kelly
of road in North Tulsa. The honorary
describes as “striving to be a city for all,”
street name was approved by Mayor
about the Black Lives Matter mural on
there’s still tension between acknowl-
Bynum and the street signs were paid
Facebook saying, “It is a beautiful mural.
edging historical racism and the desire
for by Tulsa’s BLM chapter.
The message is an important one, and its
for racial equity. For instance, less than
Inspired by the events of last
location is a powerful one given all that
a mile from Freedom Walkway, a public
summer, Kelly created MercEmpower,
Greenwood means to Tulsa.” However,
art piece that honors the fight for racial
a six-month mentoring program for
the mural was installed without city
justice in Rock Hill, is Confederate Park.
Black women ages 21 to 40 interested
permits and was ultimately removed,
There are multiple petitions online to
in opening a retail store in Rock Hill.
despite 14,000 signatures on a petition
get the city to change the park’s name.
The initiative includes free space for
to make it a permanent piece of artwork.
Clearly, there is more work to be done.
a pop-up shop, assistance finding a
Prior to its removal in October, it was vandalized with a streak of blue paint.
Kelly agrees. “Ultimately a mural
location, and a startup grant. Kelly says
isn’t going to change hate in people’s
that her goal is to spread love, belonging,
hearts.” But the mural has accomplished
and community, and that art could help
Hill, South Carolina, recalls the exact
her main goal of educating community
empower others to do more.
moment when she knew she needed to
members “on what took place here and
act last summer. Kelly was crossing the
how we don’t want to repeat history.”
Brittany Kelly, a resident of Rock
street during a Black Lives Matter pro-
When asked about the state of
According to Americans for the Arts’ 2018 public opinion poll, Americans Speak Out About the Arts,
test when another marcher told them to
the mural a year later, Kelly says that
70% of Americans believe that the “arts
stop and wait for the cars to go first.
she’s written to the city to try and get
improve the image and identity” of their
Kelly says, “It clicked in my head
it touched up but hasn’t heard back.
community. In the United States, there
right then and there that unless we inter-
“Part of me feels like they want it to
are many places like Tulsa and Rock Hill
rupt this regularly scheduled program,
just disappear.”
struggling to reconcile their racist past
no one will notice our pleas.” Rock Hill played a crucial part in the
This reaction to the events of last
with their current identity. With 21 states,
summer is disappointing, but not unique.
including Oklahoma, introducing efforts
Civil Rights Movement in 1961 when a
In Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt has
to restrict what students can be taught
group of Black men staged a sit-in at a
signed several bills into law, including one
about race and racism, this is turning
segregated lunch counter at McCrory’s
that authorizes cities and towns to paint
into an even larger challenge.
Five & Dine on Main Street. Sit-ins were
blue lines on city streets, and one that
widely used as a nonviolent act of civil
gives protection to motorists who kill or
this reconciliation and holding our
disobedience across the south. But the
injure protestors with their vehicles.
country accountable to its ideals of
demonstration in Rock Hill sparked
However, in both Tulsa and Rock Hill,
The arts can play a major part in
liberty and justice for all. According
the “jail, no bail” strategy because 9 out
community members, organizations, and
to Bagwell, art is “an opportunity to
of the 10 men, now called the Friendship
individuals are doing their part to affirm
balance the narrative” by telling the
Nine, took a 30-day jail sentence at
that Black lives truly matter.
stories which have been implicitly or
York County Prison Farm instead of paying a $100 fine. After her revelation, Kelly, the owner
Almost two weeks after the removal of the Tulsa mural, a 200-foot-long mural
is “some version of justice.”
was completed on the wall of Maggie
of a retail store called The Mercantile,
and Kajeer Yar’s private property. Com-
reached out to her friend and neighbor,
missioned by the Yars, this new mural,
Heather Johnson, to design a mural.
designed by artist Melody Allen and
Instead of “Black Lives Matter” the
painted by a group of Black artists from
mural reads, “No Room For Racism,”
the Tulsa area called the Black Moon
Rock Hill’s motto, and includes the faces
Collective, features images of past and
of the Friendship Nine. After obtaining
present Greenwood residents.
AmericansForTheArts.org
explicitly silenced. This, says Bagwell,
ISAAC FITZSIMONS (he/him) is the research and evaluation manager at Americans for the Arts and a writer of young adult fiction. Read more.
Photo by Raquel Toledo.
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 15
INSPIRING LEADERSHIP THROUGH EXAMPLE
LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE organizations in Chattanooga could stay open, the artists could survive, and everyone had the skills to fulfill their community-building roles. ArtsBuild set up an artist emergency fund for individual artists and have since launched a grassroots organization recovery fund, which provides a monthly stipend to very tiny organizations (under $50,000 annual budget) to keep them operating until they can generate income again. They launched Tech Goes Home for the Arts, a low-cost, 15-hour training co-developed with The Enterprise Center to teach artists and small arts organizations how to monetize their online presence and use digital and social media to connect with their audiences. ArtsBuild put together a suite of free shared services, including accounting, HR, and marketing and communica-
Photo by John Adams Photography, Chattanooga.
tions. Similarly, McKissic and team have engaged a racial equity consultant to provide free board workshops, staff train-
CREATING COMMUNITY WITH THE ARTS James McKissic and ArtsBuild
justice, and as a life-long visual artist,
ings, and facilities and communications
McKissic arrived just in time for the
audits to any grantees, and have con-
Chattanooga arts community.
ducted a series of racial equity trainings
“Working in education and social justice,”
around board and staff diversity.
says McKissic, “I would always link
Now that the world is reopening again,
the work I was doing back to the arts.
McKissic and his team want to make sure
The arts are how we express our
everyone in Chattanooga is aware of Arts-
humanity and how we show who we are
Build and its work.
to other people.”
McKissic. “We’re talking to people, being
ArtsBuild—during a period of lockdown,
present at fairs and festivals and events,
uncertainty, and economic and social
to tell our story and help people connect.”
crisis—McKissic has brought all his organizing skills to bear. JAMES MCKISSIC stepped into his
role as president of ArtsBuild, the local arts agency in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in January 2020, five weeks before the pandemic closures cascaded through the arts community.
“We looked at our mission,” says McKissic, “to build a stronger community through the arts, and we said, ‘When you have to be six feet apart and wearing a mask, how do you build community?’”
Coming from a career focused mostly
The answer, for McKissic and his
in education, social services, and social
team, was to ensure that the cultural
16 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
“We’re heading into communities,” says
In the 18 months since McKissic joined
For McKissic, there is a very real relief in being able to get out there and evangelize for the arts. “That’s the work I’ve always done,” he says. “Being out there. Engaging with people. Creating community.”
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
2021 Leadership Awards
Next Steps on Our Equity Journey
IN JUNE, Americans for the Arts preWE CONTINUE TO EXAMINE how to uproot systems of oppression, both
internally and externally. Through this exploration we have developed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework, which will guide and inform our external field work. The framework will be used by all staff producing fieldfocused work to unite and organize efforts to engage arts agencies. Over the next three years, Americans for the Arts resources will be focused and account-
sented awards to five outstanding arts field leaders. Given annually, these awards celebrate excellence, leadership, and commitment to enriching communities through the arts. The honorees are: n
1
Award, honoring an individual at the state
Support the fullest range of local arts, culture, and creative practices,
level whose arts advocacy efforts have
expressions, and assets through advocacy, research and data, partnerships,
dramatically affected the political landscape.
and resource participation and distribution. 2
Honor the inherent knowledge of their communities and constituents and
n
visionary leadership by a new and/or young
Cultivate the leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC);
arts leader who demonstrates an ability to
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+)
engage and impact their community.
individuals; and people from the disability community. n
4
Christine Her (Des Moines, Iowa)—American Express Emerging Leader Award, recognizing
share power in the development of arts policy and practices. 3
Julie Baker (Sacramento, California)— Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy
able to achieve four necessary shifts in local arts development practice:
Advocate for inclusive organizational policies and culture, and transform
Jean Tokuda Irwin (Salt Lake City, Utah)— Arts Education Award, recognizing
systems and programs to center equity.
transformational leadership in arts
Over the next six months, we will review existing programs and services to
education through strategic planning, strong
identify alignments and gaps. We will examine structures to ensure resources,
programming, and the engagement of
relationships, and outcomes are intentional and meaningful. We anticipate field
partners to achieve community goals.
activation into the final development process before full release in early 2022.
n
Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer (Queens, New
A first step in this work is the recent launch of a language bank, which organizes
York)—Selina Roberts Ottum Award,
commonly used terms in our work, communications, and materials. We hope
recognizing an individual working in arts
this will assist other agencies in reflecting on terminology, because we believe
management who has made a meaningful
in the importance of language in equity work.
contribution to their local community and who exemplifies extraordinary
This is an exciting time filled with potential and opportunity. We embrace the
leadership qualities.
ability to build and strengthen relationships and partnerships in the field and are open to new ways of amplifying and accomplishing the collective work to
n
Alma Robinson (San Francisco, California)— Michael Newton Award, recognizing an
advance equity in local arts practice and policy.
individual for their innovation in developing arts and business partnerships for the arts and/or long-term achievement in effective and creative techniques to engage the Rainbow Ribbons at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, photo by Ruby Lopez Harper.
private sector. Americans for the Arts congratulates these impactful 2021 Leadership Awards honorees!
Leadership Award courtesy Rosetree Glass Studio.
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 17
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU SUCCEED
THE TOOLBOX
Take the Arts Link Survey ENJOYING ARTS LINK? Don’t forget to take
our brief Readers Survey to share your thoughts about this issue. Want to hear more about the work of local arts agencies across the country? Curious about the latest advocacy news? Interested in how other Americans for the Arts members are advancing DEI work? Or maybe you have an idea for an Arts Link story you want to Photo by Ann Marie Watson.
share with us. Your opinion can help shape future issues. Tell us about it! (Survey takes 5 minutes or less to complete.)
CELEBRATE National Arts & Humanities Month
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Take the survey today!
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ARTS & HUMANITIES MONTH (NAHM), a coast-to-
coast collective celebration of culture in America. Americans for the Arts is proud to collaborate with our members for this annual celebration elevating the arts and humanities in America. Here are three big ways to bring NAHM to your community this October. Get access to these ideas and resources at AmericansForTheArts.org/NAHM. Join in the fun! + Ask your local government for a proclamation. Your mayor, city council, or
even governor can officially declare National Arts & Humanities Month! Read about how to secure a local proclamation and use our sample proclamation to help your local government get started. + Join our 31-day “Show Your Art” Instagram challenge! Find our unique,
daily themes online and post your photos throughout the month using #ShowYourArt2021. Select images will be shared by Americans for the Arts on Instagram throughout the month. + Get the word out to the media about how you and your community are
taking part in NAHM. Learn more about working with the media, how to garner attention for events, and download our press release template and customize it for your community.
18 | ARTS LINK | SUMMER 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals in the Know
Make ArtsU Work For You DID YOU KNOW THAT ARTSU has multiple
styles of programs to suit different topics and learning styles? Here are just a few types of programs that we invite you to participate in. A Series is a learning journey of webinars focused on a specific topic. Check out the How to Partner With Your Chamber of Commerce Series, which explores how these
strategic partnerships are essential to community and economic development. Part 1 establishes a foundational knowledge of local chambers of commerce, how to
Creating the Coronavirus and Cultural Equity Digests
navigate a traditional business environment, basic activations a local arts agency can undertake to establish a partnership, and more. Part 2 will be released this fall. Classrooms are extended opportunities to
enhance your knowledge in a specific content WE CAN’T ESCAPE THE REALITY that the pandemic has changed
area. Usually 12 weeks long, these courses
everything we do. Nothing has remained the same—experiences,
include on-demand learning, activities, and
participation, consuming, gathering. One of the ways Americans for the Arts
live discussions with peers. Learn more about
has responded to that change was the launch of two weekly news digest
the Arts Administrators Essentials: Supporting
emails to members through our listservs. The first was the Coronavirus News
Individual Artists Classroom, and stay tuned
Digest, which stemmed from trying to make sense of the information and
for more coming soon!
rolling closures as they launched around the country. It has been a helpful way to aggregate information and share national context while supporting practitioners in the field to navigate the new landscape. As the year went on, we moved from daily to weekly emails, and revamped the accompanying resource center. Around June 2020, as the year gave rise to civil unrest and Black Lives Matter protests in response to the numerous murders of Black and Brown individuals and police violence around the country that continues to come under the spotlight, we revamped and launched the Cultural Equity Resource Center and produced an accompanying Cultural Equity Weekly
Our newest initiative—the ArtsU Support Program—increases equitable access to live
and on-demand digital activities. Through complimentary registration, anyone can participate in any public ArtsU digital activity, such as Community, Values, and Histories in Public Art. To participate, visit the ArtsU Support Program page.
Digest, which is focused on aggregating the arts response to the societal
Check out our catalogue of upcoming
experience and on access to resources and training to assist practitioners as
events here. Have questions? Email us
they support their individual communities.
at artsu@artsusa.org.
AmericansForTheArts.org
SUMMER 2021 | ARTS LINK | 19
1000 Vermont Avenue NW 6th Floor Washington, D.C. 20005 T 202.371.2830 F 202.371.0424 AmericansForTheArts.org
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