A periodic news round-up for Massachusetts artists.
From March to May, we put together assemblages of news related to the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19-related news has been less frequent of late, but there is no shortage of important news. So we thought we’d continue with these updates.
Chatting about Reopening Plans
Responding to the COVID-19 crisis, Mass Cultural Council’s Executive Director Anita Walker has been holding Zoom-based Culture Chat conversations with cultural leaders. She’ll hold her last Culture Chat (that’s right, last – more in that in a moment) TODAY, Monday, June 29, 2020, 3 PM, when she is joined by Diane Paulus of the American Repertory Theater and Joseph Allen of Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Anita will talk to Paulus and Allen about the Roadmap for Recovery and Resilience for Theater they are creating that offers principles and general guidance to help theaters and other performing arts organizations promote health and safety for all.
Un-Site Visit with Anita Walker
We mentioned today will be Anita’s last Culture Chat. That’s because she’s retiring at the end of June. During her 13+ years at the agency, Anita has undertaken countless site visits, meeting cultural leaders and colleagues at organizations throughout Massachusetts. In pre-COVID times, a site visit might have been a fitting way to celebrate her tenure. But since an in-person visit isn’t possible right now, we’re having an Un-Site Visit with Anita Walker on June 30, 2020, at 11 AM. Learn more and sign up to participate.
Seen and Heard
Seen and Heard, which is Mass Cultural Council’s creative youth development blog, has been sharing useful compilations of opportunities and resources – many of them related to social justice and COVID-19 recovery.
Public Art Review in Boston
Locally and nationally, many communities are reckoning with equity and representation in their monuments and public art. The Boston Arts Commission has announced it will undertake a review of all works of public art in Boston to “understand what is missing, and which artworks need to be reexamined.”
Writers of Color Roundtable
In this time of social distancing, GrubStreet Writers has been sharing content virtually to keep the local literary community connected and vibrant. Recently, GrubStreet shared a video of a roundtable discussion from its 2016 Muse and the Marketplace Conference, featuring writers and literary professionals of color. As GrubStreet points out, “the issues discussed have only become more urgent today.”
Writers Against Racial Injustice
Speaking of writers, a group of local writers led by Lise Haines are raising funds to support a social justice nonprofit. The group, called Writers Against Racial Injustice, has raised over $57,000, as of the writing of this article.
Anti-Racist Films
The Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline has compiled a list of anti-racist films, and where to find them.
Film Webinars
NewEnglandFilm.com has been hosting live workshops, panels, and “ask me anything” chats. Currently on the site, you can find a video of a recent webinar about fiscal sponsorship as a filmmaker.
Drive/Walk/Bike
If you live in or near Pittsfield, consider participating in the Drive-Walk-Bike-by City Art Show on July 3, 2020.
Public Art in Cambridge
Finally, the image included at the top is a sketch design by Monique Aimee for a forthcoming mural on the new brine tanks the City as constructed next to St. Peter’s Field. The mural is part of Cambridge Arts’ public art program brine tanks are part of a more environmentally-friendly approach to de-icing roads and the art, as you can see, captures some of the reasons we want to be friendlier to our environment.
Image: sketch design of public art mural in Cambridge, MA by Monique Aimee.
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