Chicago History Museum’s Post

New article - by me - out for the University Observer! What do I talk about: Public Art, and how and why, by its nature, this type of art is prone to be a vessel for activism. I also bring some example of queer public art, focusing in the last part of the article specifically on initiatives of public queer art in Dublin. “It could be argued that public art is the most anarchic of all; unlike other forms of art which are often institutionalised by being put in museums, public art is freely accessible and enjoyable to everyone. It escapes the necessary monetisation of experience derived from capitalism.” https://lnkd.in/es4qVT5d

Excited to announce May Exhibition: "The Name Story," proudly hosted in collaboration with https://lnkd.in/ge3EdV-R at Nino Studio Gallery. Join us for the opening reception during Pioneer Square's First Thursday Art Walk on May 2nd, 2024, from 5-8 PM. My Name Story is a portrait-video project that examines the AANHPI experience through the lens of our names at the intersection of race, gender and class. This project explores themes of identity, belonging, and reclamation in a country that oftentimes labels AANHPIs as the other and perpetual foreigner. The project includes women from different generations, ethnicities and experiences who have had, at one point or another, struggles with their names and the meanings attached to them

This was a really cool read. After finishing the exhibition last year, I feel like the universe is putting more cool stuff my way that I think aligned with the hypothesis of the transparency project: "How representation affects reality". Not only does there seem to be more visibility for Trans identities, but from Trans creatives and stories BY people of that identity. Obviously, there is more work to be done, but this potential shift is what I was hoping to see more of and hope continues. https://lnkd.in/egxz2xKX

Key Reasons Why Cultural Arts Matter ||| Cultural arts matter because they a) play a critical role in shaping and b) reflect our identities. Additionally, they act as a magnet that brings people together. When cultural arts (culture and arts combined) are present, they provide a platform for communicating relevance and preserving identity. Individual and/or collective significance - our sense of belonging - is critical to our well-being. #artsandculture #representation #communityengagement #culturalarts

Seattle Museum Removes Exhibit Called "Confronting Hate Together" Because it Used "Zionist Language" The Wing Luke Museum in Seattle has succumbed to "pressure" by anti-Israel bigots and decided to remove an exhibit called "Confronting Hate Together" because the bigots claimed the exhibit used "Zionist language" that "sets a dangerous precedent of platforming colonial, white supremacist perspectives and goes against the Museum's mission as a community-based museum advancing racial and social equality." The "pressure" was applied by so-called "pro Palestinian" staffers who threatened to walk off the job and complained that the museum was conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Apparently efforts to revise the exhibit were not enough to satisfy the modern version of the Brownshirts because the exhibit still "conveyed Zionist perspectives." And, yet, it gets even worse . . . Apparently the Jewish Historical Society joined in this decision to remove the exhibit. In other words, a Jewish group was unwilling to stand up for itself and fight back against this utterly despicable display of antisemitism. (NOTE: From reading the article at the link below, it is unclear exactly what role each organization had in this utterly pathetic and repugnant decision). I do not know how else to describe the insanity of the decision to remove this exhibit other than to say the Museum (and Jewish Historical Society) has capitulated to the demands of the very people the exhibit purports to confront and, instead of confronting hate together, it has now perpetuated hate together with the bigots. This is what happens when people are afraid to confront bigotry. This is what happens when people capitulate to the forces of evil by disregarding factual reality (both in terms of history and current events), common sense, and common decency. When weak-kneed people capitulate and succumb to such "pressure" (I wonder if they have enough strength to withstand the force of a feather) they perpetuate false narratives and give a platform for evil doers to convey their sinister messages. We have seen this script before . . . it is what played out in Nazi Germany. This is how antisemitism becomes institutionalized in society.

'Community arts became my initial quest in the 1980’s as a reaction against the commercial art world. How can art participate in a functional way to connect not just art educated people, but our overall communities on issues affecting them that have meaning and purpose. Can we just speak about these issues or can we actually have it be transformative in some way to actually lead to some kind of social or policy change within the community by bringing people together and getting them working together.' Felicia Young runs Earth Celebrations, a non-profit organization engaging communities to effect ecological and social change through the arts. Felicia has developed a methodology utilizing the arts and the theatrical pageant art form, form of street art - along with civic engagement and activism. She’s a 3rd generation New Yorker, with deep roots in the City of New York, as well as much inspiration from the festivals, ceremonies, and mythic dramas from her mother’s native land of India. Now I’ve never met Felicia in person but I know about her work through years of viewing social media such as the YouTube video Celebrations Director Felicia Young - 30 Years of Cultural Organizing for Ecological Changem which is linked in the episode notes. I was moved by Felicia’s response to a question I ask all of my guests about how to prepare for the end of the world as we know it and in particular the issue of doom and gloom and defeatism: 'I don't just see it as doom and gloom because I have been directly involved in 30 years of local people who've just moved forward with implementing these solutions without waiting for the government … My involvement has always been at the grassroots level. And on that, I'm encouraged, but where I'm afraid is the overall political system where we see our elected officials owned by the industries that are doing all of the polluting and controlling the bigger picture, but are we just going to be paralyzed because they're doing the wrong thing and not go ahead with what we know is right?' This is the first in a series of conversations about one of my favorite art forms and one which I think will be especially important and useful in the future : community engaged arts Felicia suggested the following reading and listening materials : Center for Artistic Activism resources William Cleveland’s podcast on community engagement and the arts  eco art space publications  Artists and Climate Change facebook page

"If you don’t think your museum has anything to do with civics, you probably need to expand your definition of the word." Learn from Sarah Jencks, founder of Every Museum a Civic Museum, about why your museum should consider getting into the "democracy business" by connecting the stories you tell to the issues your community cares about. 🌟 Discover how this approach can deepen your museum’s impact and relevance in today’s world: https://lnkd.in/eGq9XNEj

#ArtisticExcellence and/or #Equity and maintaining high standards across the arts sector. For centuries, the arts derived from European cultural traditions have enjoyed significant financial support for infrastructure, education, presentation, and unfortunately, this support has been limited to populations from historically underrecognized and marginalized backgrounds. As a result, the gatekeepers in the arts, who have emerged and benefited from this system, often remain unaware of the rich voices and traditions of historically underrecognized and marginalized artists. This lack of exposure leads to assumptions about excellence that heavily favor the art they are familiar with. The decades of data don’t lie. One practical consequence of this inequality in resources is that visual and performing artists working in European traditions have been given ample time, resources, and opportunities to refine their techniques. This privilege is not afforded to artists historically underrecognized and marginalized in terms of accessibility. It is crucial to recognize that comparing levels of artistic excellence, especially within a Eurocentric lens, with that of historically underrecognized and marginalized populations lacking access and equitable resources is inherently unfair. As we continue these discussions on excellence and/or equity, let us strive for greater inclusivity and understanding. It is not and/or. It is and/and. Let's celebrate the various range of artistic expressions from people who are historically underrecognized and marginalized and work towards creating a more equitable arts landscape where every artist has access to resources, education, and opportunities to showcase their talents. Respectfully, Dr. Roque Diaz  #ArtisticExcellence #EquityInTheArts #DEIMatters Interested in learning more about #DEI in the arts sector? Follow me.

Opening its doors in 2014, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is one of Canada’s National Museums, and the world’s first Museum dedicated to the evolution, celebration, and future of human rights. We helped the Museum articulate its theory of change and develop an ambitious strategic plan to help it achieve its vision of a world where everyone values human rights. #strategicplan #humanrights #theoryofchange #strategicplanning

#EarthDay is an essential reminder of our responsibility to the planet and a call to consider our impact 🌍 We could celebrate it with a nice stock image of nature. But we'd rather give you a research-based article on how museums can help drive change instead. Start here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/eTVSvCTA