Multigenerational Art Project Aims to Address Systemic Racism through Art

Strategic Insights -

Local high school students from across the Twin Cities have partnered with professional artists from the BIPOC community to create a unique art exhibition tackling the impact of systemic racism on health issues. The collaborative program, hosted by the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, will kick off in early February and culminate in a public art exhibition at Mia in May.

Key Takeaways:

  • 10 local high schools will participate in professional artist-led workshops at the museum, focusing on idea generation, materials and technique, individual artmaking, and group collaboration.
  • The project aims to create narrative change by giving local teens a powerful voice through the medium of art to visually communicate the impact of racism on health issues.
  • The exhibition will feature works by both students and professional artists, including Kprecia Ambers, Juan Lucero, Jacob Olson, Akiko Ostlund, and guest facilitator Ebony Beck.
  • The project's objectives include co-visioning, co-developing, and co-creating racial and health equity-themed works to be included in the public art exhibition at Mia.
  • Mia will showcase the student and professional artist works in an onsite exhibition in the museum's Community Commons Gallery in May, remaining on view for several months.

Statistics:

  • 10 local high schools will participate in the program.
  • 5 professional artists, including Kprecia Ambers, Juan Lucero, Jacob Olson, Akiko Ostlund, and Ebony Beck, will lead workshops at the museum.
  • The program will culminate in a public art exhibition at Mia in May.
  • The exhibition will remain on view for several months.
  • The project aims to engage with the next generation of change-makers and leaders and participate in important conversations about the impacts of systemic racism.

Sources:

  • "MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has teamed up with Blue Cross[R] and Blue Shield[R] of Minnesota (Blue Cross) to launch a multi-generational project that will seek to create narrative change, addressing systemic racism through the power of art." - businesswire.com
  • "About Blue Cross[R] and Blue Shield[R] of Minnesota For nearly 90 years, Blue Cross[R] and Blue Shield[R] of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price." - businesswire.com
  • "About the Minneapolis Institute of Art Home to more than 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination." - businesswire.com