CAN ART CHANGE THE WORLD: 3 ORGANIZATION THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

ART IN THE WORLD

Why someone took the time to create it?

If you are an art lover, you have come to the right place! As an educator and artist, I love supporting artists and organizations with a purpose. Art is everywhere and belongs to all of us, documenting human creativity and social behavior throughout history. Each work has a story, and we must remind ourselves why someone took the time to create it. 

Can art change the world? I aim to examine artists or organizations whose work addresses activism issues in four broad categories: Witness, Social Justice, Environment, and Community. I can bring awareness for everyone to view by highlighting artists or organizations. I wanted to highlight three of my favorite organizations changing the art community. 

First on my list is Save the Boards, out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. These two outstanding women understood the importance of memorializing a movement and how art can make a change. I spoke to Kenda Zellner-Smith, and she shared that after the murder of George Floyd, she saw the boards were coming down, and her heart just dropped. She knew that she had to do something; the panels were created to address social injustice and needed to stay with the community of Minneapolis. 

Source: Save the Boards Mpls Instagram

Kelly and Zellner-Smith say their long-term goal is to find a permanent site that provides continued physical protection and makes the artwork accessible to its creators and the community it represents. They call their joint effort Save the Boards to Memorialize the Movement. It has been a crash course in art curation, nonprofit management, and fundraising for both women. If you want to help with this, you are welcome to visit their GoFundMe page. The donations help pay for temporary storage space in the Northrup King Building.  

The 410 Project, located in Mankato, Minnesota, is two on my list. Dana Sikkila Murphy, an instructor at Mankato State University and one of the most well-known creative leaders of Southern Minnesota."The 410 Project connects art, artists, and audiences to foster creative, resilient, and welcoming communities." I have had the privilege of attending school together and helping bridge the students at South Central College into the Mankato art scene. 

Source: The 410 Project Facebook Page

According to her website, the art space has hosted numerous art shows and events over the past eight years for the community of Mankato. This space is a hidden gem for children and adults to help foster creativity, positive self-esteem, and art awareness. All are welcome to the art gallery, and if you are interested in donating to this organization, email them directly at the410project@hotmail.com.

Lastly, The Grand, located in New Ulm, Minnesota, is small but strong. I first heard about this space through Tamara Furth, an energetic Marketing Manager who believes in this space. What I love most about this organization is that it embraces educating the community and offers classes for children and adults. 

Source: The Grand New Ulm Facebook Page

I had the pleasure during COVID to participating in an art course that featured the work Bruno Press. Mary C Bruno shared her technics, space, and stories about her love for letterpress. This badass artist made it fun and possible to keep creating during a tough time. (You should check out her work.)

Without The Grand, I would have missed out on this opportunity I will remember forever. According to their mission, their goal is to “Enrich community life through arts and cultural education and experiences. Support local artists by offering them opportunities to develop and demonstrate their artistry.”

I ask the question again, can art change the world? I believe it can, but it takes a strong group of people who think it can too. I hope you check out each of these organizations and get involved; whether donating your time, money, or skills, they welcome your help.