The narrative that we've created in America doesn't contain enough of the everyday people... who are ordinary like me but doing extraordinary things. - L'Merchie Frazier On the Mass Cultural Council's Creative Minds Out Loud podcast, L'Merchie Frazier discusses how art can be transformative to the community members she works with. "My work is centered on speaking out … [Read more...]
Artist Voices
Highlighting the work and voices of individual artists.
Alexis Ivy: What Counts
Alexis Ivy (Poetry Fellow '18) can't get away from poetry. It informs her work in social justice, working with homeless populations. Even when she writes in different literary forms, the focus and specificity of poetry carries over. In this audio clip, Ivy reads her poem Taking the Homeless Census. She also discusses the poem's origin as well as the way creativity, social … [Read more...]
Why Do You Support Other Artists?
Periodically, we pose questions about issues artists face in their work and lives. In this time when supporting one another is even more important, we were interested in the generosity and community we see among artists. We asked: Why is it important to you to support other artists, alongside your own creative practice? Emma Leavitt, visual artist at Solei Arts, Gallery … [Read more...]
Anna VQ Ross: Poetry in an Apprehensive Climate
Anna VQ Ross (Poetry Fellow '18) writes poems that confront our current climate of apprehension and disconnection in an effort "to pierce it and understand it." In this audio clip, Ross reads her poem Almost a Mothering. She also discusses the poem's origin as well as the questions that drive her work. (Though Mass Cultural Council interviewed her long before the COVID-19 … [Read more...]
Livestream Panel for US-Based Freelance Artists and Cultural Workers in all Disciplines
Join HowlRound plus a group of artists, arts administrators, and others from around the US on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 8;00 pm EST to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting freelance artists (those who identify as independent contractors) from all disciplines and where artists can look for support in this complicated moment. The conversation will focus on shared resources (legal, … [Read more...]