FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 22, 2013
Media Contact: Daniel Cooper
202-486-8217/ 561-249-0385
[email protected] or [email protected]
ART BASEL POP-UP LUNCH: Art. Change. Community.
MIAMI_With Art Basel, one of the most exclusive art fairs in the world, as a backdrop, three nonprofit organizations have teamed up to host a community conversation about the role of art in social change.
At 1 p.m Sat., Dec. 7, the nonprofit Interactivity Foundation, the Freshwater Project and Teach for America will host “ART. CHANGE. COMMUNITY.” an interactive lunch discussion that is free and open to the public. Trained facilitators will lead conversations about the future of the arts in society over a complimentary Haitian seafood meal. After the discussion, participants may walk across the street to the
Art Basel invitation flier
Art Miami tents.
Across the globe, artists play a crucial role in revitalizing communities such as Miami’s Wynwood/Design district, historically black Overtown, and nearby Little Haiti and Liberty City neighborhoods. However, exclusive events such as Art Basel Miami Beach raise questions about how to integrate legacy communities into that change.
“Art definitely brings a sort of magic to neighborhoods,” said Natalie Hopkinson, Ph.D., fellow of the Interactivity Foundation, and editor of a just-released community discussion guide The Future of the Arts & Society. “But gatherings for elite collectors often reinforce the myth that art is only for the rich, or the so-called ‘One Percent.’ We are all born with equal amounts of artistic potential. But we must have critical conversations about how to include everyone.”
In the United States, K-12 educators are on the frontlines of inclusion. Kiesha Moodie, Director of Alumni Affairs for Teach for America’s Miami-Dade region, seeks to hear a broad array of perspectives. “Art is an essential part of the human experience,” Moodie said. “We look forward to engaging out-of-town visitors and the greater Miami community in a conversation about how to educate our whole society in the arts, and use it as a catalyst to move forward.”
For free tickets, email [email protected] call 561-249-0385 or RSVP http://bit.ly/17NY4S5
Follow the discussion live on Twitter @iftalks #iftalks #talkmob
The Interactivity Foundation is a Parkersburg, W. Va. nonprofit that aims to inspire conversations about public policy among everyday people.
Teach For America is a nonprofit growing the movement of leaders who work to ensure that kids growing up in poverty get an excellent education.
The Freshwater Project is a nonprofit black preservation and community development organization based in West Palm Beach, FL.
