Artists are all around us. They may be making powerful visuals, like a colorful mural on the side of a building, or banding together in a group to create new music. While some artists work solo in a studio, others opt to be out in their neighborhoods, using their craft to foster connections between people. For this project, find a local artist who is engaging with the public– using art to draw others together. Interview this person and tell a story about how their work affects the world around them.
Tell a story about an artist: Find an artist in your community who uses their work to connect people. Think about who is featured at cultural institutions like museums, concert venues, and theatres, as well as artists working informally with community groups. How is the public participating in this person’s work– besides just being a passive viewer? What kinds of ideas, issues, or questions does this artist pose with their work? Why does this person’s work matter to your community?
Extension activity: Aside from artists, who else makes public art happen? For example, who decides where a mural goes up in a city, and which kinds of organizations pay to support the cost of public art projects– from statues to interactive projects and/or festivals? Spend time researching the ways your community is (or isn’t) supporting public art. Funding may come from public sources (the government), private institutions, or individual donors. Approval for a new art installation or building a new museum may come from private property owners or the local, state, or federal government. Has support for public art increased, decreased or stayed the same in your area? What kinds of trends do you see in local public arts, and who are the decision-makers? Explore these questions by making a story about it.
Watch SRL’s LEVEL-UP TUTORIAL SERIES before you begin filming
4-6 Weeks