“What those people felt hearing my poem ‘Spaces’ is what I am challenging this nation to create,” wrote IDEAS xLab Chief Creative Officer and artist-activist Hannah Drake in her recent blog for International Arts + Mind Lab. “Create in a way that embraces the Zulu phrase ‘Sawubona,’ which means ‘I see you.’ Not just that I physically see you, but I recognize, respect, and connect with your humanity. Where is the humanity in your creation? Design cities in such a way that everyone will feel welcomed. Create public art that draws people in and challenges long-held beliefs, making communities see we are better when we stand together.”
Hannah’s words remind me of a quote from our recent Healthy Home, Healthy Community campaign created with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness and Bates Community Development Corporation. The billboard, featuring the words and faces of community members says, “Clean water, a lead-free home, a safe environment – these are human rights."
The practice of recognizing, respecting, and connecting with a community's humanity has never been more crucial, yet, it feels more difficult than ever.
Over the past 7+ years, we've learned a lot about what it means to connect, and to use art to challenge long held beliefs and ways of working. Our work hasn't been perfect, and we continue to learn and grow along the way. This year, we further refined our mission and work to champion inclusion and belonging through creativity, art, and action as we focus on efforts like (Un)Known Project.
In August, we welcomed a new team member, Kara Mitchell, and four new Board Members, who we'll be introducing over the next few weeks! Below, you'll hear from Gabriell Gassaway, who worked with us on the Healthy Home, Healthy Community campaign.
By expanding the board to include more artists and creatives, and leaders from sectors including public health, we're able to better and even more authentically work with our partners, with artists, and community members in support of a more healthy, just, and hopeful society.
We hope you'll join us October 24 at 1pm for We the Youth: Our Wellbeing Summit, a virtual convening to celebrate the efforts of the artists, youth, and partners who collaborated on Our Emotional Wellbeing. We'll be sharing learnings, releasing the Activity Book that distills lessons and activities from the project, and premiering the iMovie created by Meyzeek Middle School students, completed during COVID-19, called "It's All Bullying: A-War-On-Us."
Whether it's through our October Summit, (Un)Known Project, or other pathways, we encourage you to examine how you can embody Hannah's words, to "recognize, respect, and connect with your humanity."
With gratitude,
Josh Miller
Co-founder + CEO
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Artist applications are now being accepted for the (Un)Known Project's Limestone Reconciliation Benches!
The selected Artist will engage with (Un)Known Project partners, community members, and conduct research in line with the focus of the (Un)Known Project to inform the conceptualization, design, creation and installation of 2-3 limestone benches (depending on dimensions) overlooking the Ohio River.
Deadline to Apply: October 22, 2020 at 11:59pm (ET)
Earliest date of notification: October 25, 2020
Entry Fee: None
Artistic Practice: Sculpture and 3-D Design
Eligibility Requirements: open to professional, practicing artists in Kentucky and artists living or working within a 50-mile radius of Louisville.
Artist stipend: $7,500
Budget: Budget for materials to create and install the benches is up to $8,500
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Become a Champion of Hope! |
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Text ideasxlab to 44-321 to donate.
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Hear from IDEAS xLab team members Hannah Drake and Josh Miller about our current work and how you can become a Champion of Hope!
Our Champions of Hope are monthly and annual contributors who share in our belief that art has the power to transform lives!
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