How Does Art Act as a Vehicle to Advance Social Causes?
The arts are "a infinite where nosotros tin requite dignity to others while interrogating our own circumstances," Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, said at the museum's almanac symposium, The Power of Giving: Philanthropy's Impact on American Life. Held on March 22, 2018, the plan explored philanthropy's touch on on and through civilization and the arts. As he reflected on the relationship between giving and the arts, Walker said that "throughout our history, we have seen artists and activists piece of work hand in paw. We have seen art inspire and elevate whole movements for change."
As Walker suggests, music, storytelling, drama, and other arts have an emotional touch that motivates giving time and money to causes, while philanthropic appeals help artists attract audiences. To continue the conversation virtually the arts and giving, here's a look at 3 objects that tell stories well-nigh how Americans used the arts to promote social modify in the 1800s.
Singing against slavery
In the 1840s, the pop Hutchinson Family Singers from New Hampshire introduced music to the developing antislavery movement. Equally the sheet music for "The Grave of Bonaparte" suggests, the singers were concerned about freedom in other forms and many places, simply they had their biggest impact on the American antislavery movement. Performing before integrated audiences, siblings Judson, John, Asa, and Abby—who were managed by their brother Jesse—helped nurture opposition to slavery amongst those non exposed to its evils. They also helped build far-flung antislavery networks cheers to their travel and the newspaper coverage of their events. Moreover, the success of their antislavery songs showed that the cause had commercial appeal. Works such as the novel Uncle Tom'due south Cabin would cater to that entreatment–and help further develop antislavery sentiment. In improver to their contributions to reform causes, the group shaped American musical identity. At a time when Americans favored European musicians, the Hutchinson Family unit Singers spurred new interest in American music.
Entertaining for teaching
After the Civil State of war, African Americans and sympathetic whites sought to create opportunities for African Americans to pursue higher education. For example, the American Missionary Association established Fisk University for African Americans in 1866. In 1871 the Fisk Jubilee Singers were organized. Using savvy marketing and publicity techinques to attract audiences, the grouping toured the United States and Europe fundraising for the schoolhouse. The singers too advocated for African American rights and independence. Initially, they performed a range of the era's popular songs, merely found that white audiences responded most strongly to spirituals. At a time when Americans however sought to plant cultural independence from Europe, many white concertgoers identified the spirituals equally a distinctly American musical style. For their part, the singers themselves used the interest in their music to craft and manage their image in a society that either limited black roles or cast them in offensive, stereotypical imagery.
Recitals for refugees
In the early 1880s, Russian Jewish refugees arrived in the U.s. fleeing cruel persecution at home. Newspapers around the land covered their plight and efforts to aid them. Using a common fundraising technique, supporters organized a do good concert, featuring musical societies from Boston, Lynn, Salem, and Taunton, Massachusetts, to aid the refugees. A newspaper declaration about the event both encouraged people to buy tickets and tried to fight anti-Semitism past reminding readers that the Jewish customs in Boston had often contributed to charitable efforts for others. Every bit with other benefit concerts, the publicity around the effect provided an opportunity not merely to solicit support only also to foster reflection on societal challenges.
As philanthropists today look to the arts to result social change, these objects offer reminders well-nigh why the arts and activism have had such a shut relationship for centuries. The long tradition of Americans using the arts to move people to support all manner of philanthropic endeavors has shaped American society by advancing causes while too shaping American culture by fostering appreciation for the arts.
Want to larn more than? Scout Walker'south full keynote accost and more than videos from The Power of Giving: Philanthropy's Impact on American Life, our most contempo symposium focusing on culture and the arts. You tin find out more about these objects in Giving in America's online exhibit.
Amanda B. Moniz is the David M. Rubenstein Curator of Philanthropy in the Division of Home and Community Life.
The Philanthropy Initiative is made possible by the Nib & Melinda Gates Foundation and David Thou. Rubenstein, with additional support past the Fidelity Charitable Trustees' Initiative, a grantmaking program of Allegiance Charitable.
Source: https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/powerofgiving-18
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