Atlanta’s Public Art Sparks New Conversations on Racial Equity
Has a play you’ve watched ever made you see the world differently? Or has a mural stayed with you long after you’ve left the area? Public art plays a vital role in igniting conversations, reshaping cultural narratives, and heightening awareness of crucial issues within our communities in distinctive and imaginative ways. Investing in major public artworks enhances city life and brings creativity to problem-solving.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge tapped into this potential by uniting mayors, residents, community leaders, and artists to develop thought-provoking, temporary public art projects addressing significant civic issues. Thriving Together Atlanta, Atlanta’s selected project, showcases cultural events designed to inspire discussions on how systemic racism continues to affect the health and well-being of its citizens.
This collaborative initiative involves the City of Atlanta—Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the CDC Foundation, National Black Arts Festival, and Out of Hand Theater. They use the power of arts and culture to educate, empower, and mobilize individuals towards positive action.
The Impact of Racism on Public Health
Recognized as a profound social injustice, racism is also increasingly understood as a major public health issue. Beyond social and psychological impacts, racism leads to significant disparities in health outcomes among marginalized communities. Systemic discrimination limits access to healthcare, affects the quality of care, and impacts overall health equity.
In April 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared racism a serious public health threat, affecting the well-being of millions of Americans and, consequently, the nation. Clearly, tackling this issue is of paramount importance.
Launching Thriving Together Atlanta
Thriving Together Atlanta kicked off on March 1, 2024, at the Atlanta History Center with the event titled Night of Ideas. This evening marked the first of many Equitable Dinners, spearheaded by Out of Hand Theater. These dinners bring people from various backgrounds to discuss complex subjects over a shared meal, aiming to foster connections and prompt change.
The kickoff event saw more than 200 attendees, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, along with artists, health experts, politicians, and members of the public. They gathered to discuss racial equity in Atlanta.
Since the launch, 14 additional Thriving Together Atlanta Equitable Dinners have been held, with many more planned. The goal is to reach 2,000 Atlantans through these dinners. Community partners, healthcare leaders, artists, legislators, and other stakeholders are invited to participate. Interested parties can fill out an interest form to host an Equitable Dinner event.
Spreading Awareness through Public Art
The project is also reaching out to local muralists to create public art murals intended to stir conversation and awareness about health inequities. If you know someone interested in contributing, they are encouraged to apply before the October 1, 2024 deadline.
Come fall 2025, the initiative will host a community arts festival to celebrate Atlanta and encourage ongoing discussions and long-term change.
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Conclusion
Public art holds incredible potential to spark conversations and inspire change. Thriving Together Atlanta is a testament to how cities can leverage creativity to address important civic issues like systemic racism.
Let’s continue to support and engage in these vital discussions, using art as a bridge to understanding and action.
