Save Our Safety Net DC (SOS) is in the midst of a campaign to raise upper income taxes in order to prevent cuts to safety net programs like homeless services and childcare subsidies. We would like to add a cultural/art arm to our campaign to help tell the stories that make our case for why DC needs to protect its safety net services. We would like to partner artists with the social service organizations that we work with to tell the story of how the drastic budget cuts of the past few years have impacted them and their clients.
The medium for this storytelling can be anything the partnering artists would like to use. Photography, theater, puppetry, poetry, music, painting, prose... anything! The idea is that as artists we can present the human face of these proposed budget cuts and show that the cuts from the last 3 years have hurt people enough--we can't afford any more.
We would need to present whatever is created sometime in early May. It's a short timeline, so simple projects are fine. The important thing is that these stories get out there.
To participate contact Save our Safety Net at SaveDCSafetyNet at gmail dot com
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The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition is internationally recognised for identifying new artists and writers and bringing them to international attention. Previous finalists have achieved success and recognition with accolades including: writing commissions from Channel 4, selection to represent Australia in the Florence Biennale, exhibitions at DACS (London), John Martin Gallery (London), Flores Fine Art Gallery (New York), inclusion in the International Drawing Competition exhibition (Poland) and the National Geographic International Photographic exhibition. The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition represents the scope of creative activity today, and provides an opportunity for both new and established artists to nurture their reputations on an international scale.
There are three categories: Artwork & Photography, Fiction and Poetry.
For more information, click here.
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Art empowers communities. That’s why Alternate ROOTS, Culture Works, and others introduce ROOTS Fest, an empowering national arts celebration in West Baltimore. Join us!
Art unites communities. The “Highway to Nowhere” in West Baltimore bulldozed a thriving community 40 years ago, splitting it into two halves. ROOTS Fest is a catalyst to bridge the gap between the community’s divisions, and start new conversations about what people in a community can do and what they want.
Art heals communities. Communities that come together around their culture are strong, resilient communities. ROOTS Fest will re-wire West Baltimore to help it overcome its challenges.
For five days in June, tens of thousands of people will make history at ROOTS Fest, an empowering national arts celebration in West Baltimore. Joined by nationally-renowned artists and performers, the West Baltimore community will take over the 52 acres of green space that sits atop the Highway to Nowhere, and fill it with new life, color, and music. It will serve as an example for other communities around the country who face the same challenges as West Baltimore.
For 35 years, Alternate ROOTS has been empowering people and communities through art. This June Alternate ROOTS is joined by Culture Works and other organizations in celebrating with ROOTS Fest, a festival of empowerment in West Baltimore.
Be a part of ROOTS Fest 2011: Many Communities, One Voice on June 22- 26 in Baltimore! Volunteer for ROOTS Fest! – There are many opportunities to lend a hand before and during this groundbreaking festival! Contact Baltimore-based volunteer coordinator Jai Brooks (reverendjaibrooks at gmail dot com) at 443-413-2577. If you are interested in Artistic Programming, contact Cheles Rhynes (staff at mason-rhynes dot org).
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