Description

Throughout history, artists were considered artisans and craftspeople who were hired for a job to build structures or something the consumer desired. Now we see artists as individuals who express themselves through art in a wide variety of forms. To be an artist is to be on a constant quest for discovery and knowledge about the world and individual experiences. There is not one right way to be an artist; there is a wide variety of art forms like music, sculpting, photography, singing, writing etc. Within varying cultures, art can be used to represent the beliefs, ideas, and customs that a society may value. Looking at artworks and artifacts of different cultures can show us what traditions and philosophies that specific culture values. Art may even inspire others to reflect on their own cultures and traditions. Artists are willing to express their thoughts and emotions in a way that not only feeds the mind, but also helps educate and build communities.

Art Spreading Awareness

Art can be used in various ways for spreading awareness; it captures the authenticity of the world around us and the roles and responsibilities we as individuals occupy. Art is often used as a vehicle to transcend boundaries and can act as a catalyst, drawing attention to challenges within society. Whether a work of fiction, a painted canvas, or a documentary, art acts as a tool to critically examine our current beliefs through the lens of factual realities that mobilizes and empowers even the most vulnerable members of society.

Art and Healing

One of the best ways to heal yourself is through art; it can be enjoyed in many different ways and encourages people to connect to something different than their ordinary lives. Art is known to have psychological and physiological healing properties because it forces you to connect your mind and body. There are social inequities that cause suffering, so healing in this aspect is an important part of social justice work, as well as community and coalition building, and healing by working with others.  Producing art such as painting, drawing, and other forms can help increase connections in the brain that impact memory, and these connections can be seen at a range of improved moods and an expanded vocabulary. Art enhances brain function, which impacts your brain wave patterns, emotions, and nervous system. Studies have shown that expression through art can help with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. With all this new information we are learning about art and its healing properties, it is important to share that healing doesn't just come from making art, but from experiencing it as well.

Collection

The beauty of being a proactive Artist in social justice, you can come from a lot of different educational backgrounds, and still educate and make an impact on communities and people worldwide. As long as artists continue to explore and learn more, they can continue to make the world a better place in a very valuable way. Finding a foundation to build careers on is very possible and necessary. Our own experiences throughout life give us each a unique perspective and approach to many different art forms. You can either tell your own story through art, or someone else’s. Ultimately, the work in social justice will never be done. It is up to the artists to research and represent not only their ideals, but the situations of others actively and respectfully.

Areas of Studies

  • Psychology
  • Fine arts
  • Social work
  • Social justice
  • Music theory
  • Counseling
  • Art therapy 

Courses

  • Community Development through Creative Placemaking
  • SJUS:1001/GWSS:1003 Introduction to Social Justice                     
  • SJUS:2000 Theories of Social Justice                                       
  • SJUS:2250/GWSS:2250/HIST:2250    The History of Social Justice Movements       
  • GWSS:3138/SJUS:3138 Writing to Change the World            
  • SJUS:3475/GWSS:3475 Working for Social Justice                         
  • HRTS:2115/IS:2115
  • GWSS:3600 Art, Feminist Practice, and Social Justice                     
  • ARTS:3400 Grant Writing in the Arts                                      
  • SJUS:3400/GWSS:3400 Advocacy and Engagement Colloquium    
  • SJUS:4080 Advocacy and Engagement Capstone                             

Certifications

Certifications at the University of Iowa: None are required to pursue a career in art, but depending on your interests, may be helpful.

  • Writing Certificate Program
  • Disability Studies
  • Event Management Certificate
  • Social Justice and Performing Arts
  • Public Digital Arts
  • Latin American Studies
  • Critical Cultural Competence

Certificates/Schooling needed for Art Therapy

  • Art Therapist
    • Education usually needed to be certified art therapist is a bachelor's degree
    • Certified art therapists usually study occupational therapy, psychology, or physical therapy
    • 58% hold bachelor's degree; 28% have masters
    • Most common colleges to pursue goal of becoming certified Art therapist
      • University of Kansas, Mount Mary University
    • Best overall education for a certified art therapist
      • Boston University, Rosemont College, Harvard University
    • Affordable schools
      • SUNY Farmingdale
    • Best certifications for certified Art Therapist
      • Masters Therapist (MTAPA) through organization APA, DAPA
      • Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) through ATCB
      • Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) through HTCC

Informational Interviews

  • If you want to learn more about what this career path may look like, set up an informational interview with someone who has a job you’re interested in! Not only is this educational, but it also helps you build your network!

Students Organizations at the University of Iowa

Examples of Companies

Organizations that Blend Service and Art

Visual Art and Design

Cultural Orgs

These organizations provide safe and healing spaces for communities and educate the Iowa City community on art and culture from other places which creates an understanding of issues.

  • Walk it Out
  • Iowa Asian American Coalition
  • Black Student Union
  • Indian Student Alliance
  • Slavic Student Alliance
  • African Student Association
  • Albanian American Association
  • Bangladeshi Students Association
  • Chinese Corner Club
  • Chinese Dance Club
  • Filipino Student Association
  • Iranian Students Organization
  • Korean Conversation Group
  • Kurdish Student Organization
  • Latinx Graduate Student Association
  • Middle East and North African Student Association
  • Myanmar/Burma Student Association
  • Muslim Students Association
  • Native American Student Association 
  • Napalese Student Association
  • Pakistani Students Association
  • Queer Liberation Front
  • South Asain Student Alliance
  • Sri Lankan Students Association
  • Sudanese Student Association
  • Taiwanse Student Association
  • Thai Student Association
  • The Caribbean and South American Student Association
  • The Multicultural Student Organization
  • Trans Alliance
  • UI Students for Disability Advocacy and Awareness
  • Vietnamese Student Association

Music

Dance

  • Ballet Club
  • Dance Club

Film and Animation

Comedy

Anime

  • Anime and Manga Club
  • Anime, Comics, and Games

Lit Mags

Community Organizing and Event Planning

Community organizing and event planning contains a broad spectrum of careers, organizations, and missions, many of which relate to social justice. Community organizing often centers around goals and improvements in certain sectors of a community. Whether it’s temporary organizing for an election, or something more long-term for improvements in the lives of community members, community organizing is an expansive field with a multitude of opportunities within it. Event planning occasionally finds its way into this as well, arriving in miscellaneous forms. Some of the most common are benefit concerts, charity galas, protests, etc.

Potential careers within these fields:

  • Event planner
  • Development director
  • Program coordinator
  • Outreach coordinator
  • Project coordinator
  • Communications director

Organizations

  • UAY - United Action for Youth (https://www.unitedactionforyouth.org/)
    • Non-profit community organization working with youth (specifically 12-18 year olds) in many different capacities. Goals include improving self-esteem, life skills, and leadership abilities.
  • HYPHA (https://www.hyphaconnect.com/)
    • Independent group dedicated to facilitating connections between various social justice organizations, with a specific focus on those interested in community resiliency and sustainability, to help create collaborative projects.
  • ArtShare (https://engagement.uiowa.edu/arts-share)
    • University of Iowa program which enlists artists from a wide range of departments/disciplines to lead workshops, performances, and public art commissions to communities throughout Iowa to give K-12 students opportunities to participate and explore their artistic passions where they might not otherwise be able to. 
  • Iowa Youth Writing Project (https://iywp.org/)
    • Non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Iowa focused on elevating the creative voices of K-12 students by providing free opportunities for youth to engage in writing-centric activities such as workshops and literary events that not only fosters creative growth but can serve as support for the education of students and teachers alike. 
  • Art x Culture x Social Justice (https://artculturejustice.com/)
    • Network which believes in the power of art and culture to advance social justice by connecting artists from across all disciplines to collaborate in an effort to create positive community spaces.
  • Artists for Justice (https://www.artists-for-justice.com/)
    • Collective of artists interested in utilizing their craft to foster collaboration within communities to forward social justice initiatives, in part by bolstering emerging creative voices and providing a platform for groups to express themselves and the issues they are facing.
  • Americans for the Arts (https://www.americansforthearts.org/)
    • Non-profit organization dedicated to building support for individual artists/groups across the country to spotlight the transformative power art can have with organizing and advocating for social change.

Programs

  • Transitional Living Program for houseless folks aged 16-22
  • Creative engagement opportunities like a recording studio, art studio, art gallery, and performance space
  • Access to counseling
  • Teen pregnancy/parenting support group
  • Family mediation and therapy for youth and their families to address conflict, communication, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief.
  • https://www.unitedwayjwc.org/united-action-youth-uay

A Note on Networking

While the following articles/guides are great starting points for those interested in becoming involved with community organizing and event planning, it is important to note that many organizations dedicated to utilizing the arts as means of advocacy (including the ones listed above) may not always list job postings on traditional job search engines. Moreover, the best way to become involved with many of these organizations is through contacting and connecting with members involved through networking in order to get a complete view of what that particular organization is striving for, and how your skills could be applied to that group’s goals/ambitions.

Organizations

Art Mix https://www.artmixindiana.org/

  • The ArtMix Mission is to transform the lives of people with disabilities through the creation of art. ArtMix supports creativity by sparking curiosity and valuing originality and quality. They work to create a collaborative environment by developing and maintaining relationships with others in the community.  Not to mention they also work to establish respect by treating all people with consideration and dignity in an ethical and honest manner.
  • “ArtMix strives to create a welcoming environment that breaks down barriers. By providing an inclusive space for people of all ages and all abilities, ArtMix allows individuals to express themselves.”

Public Space One (PS1) http://www.publicspaceone.com/artist-resources-and-opportunities

  • PS1 has many opportunities for artists to create and showcase their work and message to  share their knowledge.
  • As an artist there are opportunities to:
    • Teach classes on your area of expertise
    • Put on an exhibition
    • Plan a collaborative event
    • Perform

Artist Support and Allyship

Artists' support and allyship incorporates both art and social justice. Artists use various mediums to tell a story, express emotions, and/or share a part of their lived experiences. Supporting an artist allows them to create and share their unique perspective. The experience of an artist can spread awareness, and generate conversation of larger social justice issues.

Ways to support artists as career/within an organization include:

  • Providing workspace or residency to artists so they have the physical means to create
  • Providing supplies
  • Providing funding
    • Grant writing and allocation
  • Curating a collection
  • Hosting an exhibition
  • Hosting and organizing educational opportunities
    • Classes for the public led by artist
    • Workshops for artists
  • Amplifying Underrepresented Artists

Organizations:

Wright House of Fashion (https://www.wrightfashionhouse.com/about-1)

  • Andre Wright, a fashion activist in Iowa City, IA is currently transforming the former Varsity laundromat into a fashion house. Black designers represent 3% of the design industry. The Wright House of Fashion has the mission to amplify underrepresented BIPOC designers.
  • Programs include;
    • The incubator program for students will provide youth with skill building lessons from industry leaders.
        • Graphic design 
        • Fashion Design
        • Entrepreneurship
  • The Wright House of fashion will have some studio space available for designers, as well as a storefront to give designers the opportunity to sell.
  • The fashion institute will host fashion shows, as well as other community events.

Humanize my Hoodie (https://www.humanizemyhoodie.com/about)

  • Andre Wright, and Jason Sole founded Humanize My Hoodie to raise awareness of the issue of police brutality. The population of BIPOC people incarcerated or killed in interactions with police is overrepresented in the United States. Humanize My Hoodie uses fashion to spread awareness of this injustice, and inspires conversation while amplifying the voices of black designers, activists, and allies. The graphic design of Humanize My Hoodie expresses resistance and protest. Humanize My Hoodie also runs workshops for those who want to learn how they can be an ally to the movement.

Public Space One (PS1) (http://www.publicspaceone.com)

  • Public Space One (PS1) is a community and artist-led contemporary art non-profit that was founded in 2002 in Iowa City. PS1 supports artists by providing them with resources to create, and opportunities to share their work with the public. Diverse representation of artists is a priority of PS1, and they collaborate with artists on work that shares their unique perspective.
  • PS1 provides:
    • Rental equipment
    • Performance opportunities
    • Exhibitions opportunities
    • Studio space
    • Artist residency
    • Workshops
    • Free supplies

Art Therapy

  • What is Art Therapy?
    • An integrative mental health and human service that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship
  • Who is in charge of leading the session?
    • It is facilitated by a professional art therapist
  • Who are Art Therapists?
    • Master-level clinicians
    • Work with people of all ages across a broad spectrum
    • The education levels they have preps them to be culturally proficient to be able to work with diverse populations in a bunch of different scenarios.
  • As an Art Therapist where can you work?
    • Hospitals
    • Schools
    • Veterans clinics
    • Private practice
    • Psychiatric and rehab facilities
    • Community centers
    • Forensic institutions
    • Senior communities
  • Benefits/How does this help?
    • Used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress and advance societal and ecological change
  • How does this work?
    • Mainly through integrative methods
      • Means picking methods from across orientations to best suit patients
    • Engages the mind, body and spirit in different ways than just verbal therapy works
    • Visual and symbolic expressions gives voice to experience and empowers individuals
  • Misconceptions of Art Therapy
    • Due to lack of knowledge about the profession
    • AATA often encourages outreach to individuals that may be found inaccurately categorized activities (like trainings offered by non art therapists)

This information provided by https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/

Organizations

Music and Sound Therapy

  • Sound Baths
    • Sound Baths lower stress and anxiety, improve mental cognition, and help individuals experience deeper sleep. Being a more trendy type of meditation, this method has been seen as a way of helping newcomers to be introduced to the positives of doing meditation as well as helping people return to lifestyles they’ve left behind in a calm and sound filled class.

Documentary Makers

  • Documentaries are able to provide insights into the raw and unfiltered scope of humanity through a contextualized lens, able to provide empathy and create understanding where just facts are unable to.
  • Production studios with a focus on Social Justice:
    • Outcast Films:a film distribution company focused on environmental and social justice issue films. We work with teachers, librarians, and community leaders to educate and empower their audiences on issues that impact all of us.
    • JoLu Productions was founded in 2000  by award-winning independent filmmaker Luisa Dantas. The name pays homage to her late father José, and symbolizes her Brasilian roots. We are a full-service film and digital media production company, working at the intersection of storytelling and social-justice. We produce high-quality high-impact media, including documentaries (Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price, Land of Opportunity,, cutting-edge interactive content (LandofOpportunity Interactive), short fiction and non-fiction films, web series, and docu-style branded digital content. Our projects focus on economic justice, racial justice, immigration, and the built environment, viewed through the eyes of those most impacted by inequality. We collaborate with a variety of partners in the non-profit and private sectors working to advance social change through narrative.
    • Let Media is a production company focused on genuine storytelling, centered around environmental issues, social justice and engagement.
    • Hawkcity Productions: Founded in 2009, Hawk City offers the production quality and professional attention to meet your video needs.  From 3-D animation and web videos to TV ad campaigns and feature length documentaries, our experience is diverse, but not limited to production.
    • Los Productions: A production company focused on visual storytelling through compelling cinematography and create unique narratives.
  • Documentaries to view regarding social justice:
    • 13th-On Netflix, Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans.(garnered an Oscar nomination and multiple award wins including four Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, Peabody Award, NAACP Image Award, and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Documentary)
    • The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson-On Netflix, Filmmakers re-examine the 1992 death of transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide, many in the community believe she was murdered.
    • More Than A Word- On Kanopy & IMDb, Activists campaign to get the Washington Redskins to change their name.
    • The Price We Pay- On ImDb, An examination of the systematic tax fraud of banks and large corporations; financial experts, system critics, and insiders explain what consequences these crimes have on the global economy.
    • LA 92- On Hulu, The 1992 acquittal of white police officers for beating Rodney King, a black motorist, sparked days of protests, violence, and looting in Los Angeles. Twenty-five years later, filmmakers examine the aftermath and reveal rarely-seen archival footage.
    • Sing Your Song - On Vudu, Harry Belafonte rises to fame, becoming an acclaimed singer and actor, and working tenaciously throughout his career as a social activist.
    • Joshua: Teenager Vs Superpower- On Netflix, When China's Communist Party breaks its promise of autonomy to Hong Kong, a teenager rallies thousands of kids to occupy the streets and becomes an unlikely leader and dissident.
    • Virunga- On Netflix, the incredible true story of a group of courageous people risking their lives to build a better future in a part of Africa the world's forgotten, and a gripping exposé of the realities of life in the Congo.
    • The Story of Plastic- is a searing expose, uncovering the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling.

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