The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has exposed the fatal weaknesses in our democratic, economic, and social institutions. It was quickly followed by another moment of reckoning as our nation grappled with the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the movement for Black Lives swept the nation. Across the country, schools have closed their doors resulting in our peers sleeping on the streets and going hungry.
Young artists and freelancers have been particularly hit hardest by the economic fallout, with galleries shut, gigs cancelled and shows delayed. We are launching an Artists for Democracy Fund to support young Black artists during this economic crisis and provide a platform to showcase their vision for our democracy and world in our first national virtual art competition, “A Virtual Art Contest for Black Lives."
Our goal is to raise at least $1,000 for the winners of our art competition (that’s right, 100% of proceeds will go towards talented, amazing, young artists). The more money we raise, the more money we can distribute among our first 9 winners. If we raise a lot more than $1,000, we can even support more young artists through honorable mentions and a charity of choice.
Art has always had a special role in resistance movements with its unique ability to shift perspective and force the public to face the inequities experienced by communities of color. The last time our nation faced a Great Depression, artists helped redefine our country and reimagine a better future.
We are living in a historic moment NOW, and we will be the generation that lives with the consequences of a burning world and uncertain economy. If we want to fight for a liveable future, we need to support our nation’s artists to reimagine what our democracy, public safety --and more broadly, our world-- will look like for future generations.