Joan Jonas, Glenn Ligon, Shirin Neshat, and Mickalene Thomas are among the artists who will launch the first #ArtActionDay on January 20, 2018—the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s inauguration. On that day, a coalition of artists, cultural organizations, and companies like Tumblr and Spotify will host nationwide readings, panel discussions, workshops, and a special Spotify “creativity boost” playlist curated by artist Laurie Anderson.
Organized by The Federation, a group started by Anderson and producers Laura Michalchyshyn and Tanya Selvaratnam in response to Trump’s travel ban, the events will take place in partnership with organizations such as PEN America, The Kitchen, the artist-founded PAC For Freedoms, Film Forum, and Lincoln Center. The website also provides a downloadable kit for DIY activism that can be carried out from anywhere.
“We will use our platforms and our voices to represent that art is essential to democracy,” said Selvaratnam in a statement announcing #ArtActionDay, which was partly inspired by the controversial call for an “art strike” on Inauguration Day. “We decided on that day because this past January 20, arts institutions were encouraged to close their doors in protest of the inauguration. A terrible idea! Never tell artists to be silent. On January 20, we want artists to be more loud and visible than ever.”