The Black Lives Matter Project: A Call To Creatives.

A call to action and a response for how Black lives have meaning and value in today’s society.

Prompt: What does #BLACKLIVESMATTER mean to you?

DEADLINE: December 1, 2015 (subject to change)

EXHIBITION DATES: January 28 – February 28, 2016

LOCATION: MCLA Gallery 51 51 Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247

CURATORS: Melanie Mowinski and Frances Jones-Sneed

PROJECT INTERN: Brittany Lang & Kristi Alexander

Submission Link: MCLAblacklivesmatterexhibit@gmail.com

ENTRY DEADLINE: December 1, 2015

EXHIBITION STATEMENT: MCLA Gallery 51 is pleased to announce a call for entries for the Black Lives Matter Project. This exhibition will examine how art can ignite conversation between artist and viewer, viewer and viewer and viewer and self. It is open to artists working in all mediums, especially (but not limited to) painting, printmaking, sculpture, artist books (zines) and installation that utilizes any of these techniques. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional based works will be accepted.

Artists are encouraged to explore from the literal to the conceptual underpinnings of The Black Lives Matter Movement that seeks to examine the impact of state and national violence on black lives.

We invite submissions that encourage and incite conversation about race relations, the importance of black lives, and proposals for what we each must do to make a difference in our society.

Please include an image list with your jpeg submission email, indicating submission number, title, size, process, and year. Including a brief artist bio, a statement that addresses how your work relates to the Exhibition Statement.

Each .jpg should be 1200 pixels in the long dimension and named as “#_NAME.jpeg” where # is the submission number and NAME is your last name.

If you need inspiration see the following links:

Black Lives Matter Art Display at MoMA

Black Lives Matter: MCLA

Conversations on Race: A Talk Worth Having

CCOR is a program that fosters student discussions on race and ethnicity. Typically, a team of two trained students or a Staff Advisor facilitates discussions. The conversations use case studies as the starting point to engage the views of participants.

CCOR forums enable MCLA students to discuss one of the most critical issues we face in contemporary society – racial and ethnic prejudice and bigotry. It is paramount for students to gain an understanding of the perspectives and cultures that will soon be the new majority in our society. CCOR forums  formally and systematically address societal change and provide guidance on methods to explore and understand the underpinnings of race relations.

Black Lives Matter: A Movement, Not A Moment.

Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise.  It is an affirmation of Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.