Who Decides?

Guest Opinion

One of the many purposes of art is to reflect the times and hold a mirror to society, but not everyone wants to see that reflection.

Throughout history, we’ve encountered authoritarian dictators or ruling classes who understood the power of art and enacted parameters on which types of subject matter were deemed acceptable as a means to mold society.

For instance, Hitler allowed only paintings of blonde-haired and blue-eyed people set in an idyllic countryside, known as “Nordic Expressionism.” Not wanting to “insult German feelings,” thousands of paintings were burned or hidden away from the public’s eyes.

This sounds terrifyingly similar to the sentiment being echoed today as institutions and museums are again being forced to cancel exhibits which could make certain people feel uncomfortable.

Art museums should encourage free expression, contain a broad range of subject matter, and offer programming which encourages dialogue. This is at risk due to new executive orders imposed onto the National Endowment for the Arts. A letter sent to the NEA from the current administration reads: “Applicants will not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or use federal funds to promote gender ideology.”

How might these new regulations affect some of our local art institutions?

The Dennos Museum, Crooked Tree Arts Center, and Oliver Art Center all receive funding via various avenues including through the National Endowment for the Arts. According to Dennos Museum director Craig Hadley, no disruptions have occurred yet, but he does foresee a future which includes more creative thinking when it comes to grant opportunities.

Kristi Wodek of CTAC echoes the sentiment for finding new and creative ways to earn grants and acknowledges that after attending the Michigan Arts and Culture Advocacy Day, that organizations have been told that the funding is expected to go through drastic cuts.

OAC currently has brought the opportunity for visitors to view The Quilts of Gee’s Bend. These renowned textiles tell the story of the enslaved people of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Their creation was born out of necessity, the makers first using just scraps of whatever they had, passing down the patterns and unique style of these quilts through generations and into today. These traditions survived slavery, Antebellum south, and Jim Crow to now be considered some of the most celebrated textile art in American History.

Is it only a matter of time until this exhibit may no longer be supported for grant funding from the NEA? After all, the displaying of these quilts invites viewers to ponder unpleasant parts of our past.

If you think this seems far-fetched, just take a look at many recent exhibits which have been wiped off of major museum schedules due to removal of NEA funding.

A community favorite, which is now on display at The Dennos, is the Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibit. Over 300 works were submitted with 63 artists chosen by renowned juror/artist Teresa Dunn, whose artwork is an exploration of her Mexican American identity and the complexities of how she navigates this world as a brown woman in the Midwest.

This exhibit is imbued with representations of our region’s natural beauty, be it in the form of a landscape, an homage to the wild found in a pack of wolves, or a projection pondering our place in the cosmos.

Awards were granted to nine artists. Best in Show was awarded to Traverse City based Black American artist, Rufus Snoddy. His profound and compelling mixed media piece titled “Class Sick,” speaks to the cultural contributions of Black people. The strong imagery of the piece reflects the coolness with which our culture adopts and appropriates black culture while simultaneously and systematically erasing it.

Even the title, “Class-Sick,” is a play on the word classic, which references the impact over time that Black people have affected language, both inside and outside the classrooms of society. “Sick” is a slang word originated by the Black jazz culture.

While Rufus’ portrait style work confronts the viewer in a very direct way, “Poppy Field,” the ceramic sculpture of Nekisia Davis which was awarded 3-D Best in Show, entices viewers through bright and playful imagery to learn more. In fact, these colors and symbols hold profound meaning to the people of Gaza. Nekisia hopes that a sense of curiosity will help viewers look closer at her piece, which is a lament and a way to honor the 16,000+ children who have been killed in Palestine.

We should not be afraid to confront realities when it is translated through one of the most beautiful languages of all: art. Art can lead us to stretch our imaginations, possibly shift a perspective, or, at the very least, acknowledge viewpoints outside of our own frame of reference.

Ask yourself, where is the harm in this? And why are steps being taken to shield the public from the work of artists?

Shanny Brooke is an artist and owner of Higher Art Gallery.

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