Sotheby's Institute: Art and Activism

What role do artists play as activists? This course is ideal for students who have an interest in social justice issues. In this course, students will explore how the arts can be strategically deployed as powerful tools to effect change in the world, and how artists can use their creativity to challenge established thought in order to create a more equitable culture. Students will examine the history of art and activism by looking at work inspired by key events such as the Vietnam War, the AIDS Crisis, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Students will also learn about cutting-edge contemporary artists who are at the forefront of social change, such as Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei; interdisciplinary social activist Theaster Gates; and legendary feminist critics The Guerrilla Girls. By looking at diverse example of activist art, students will see how artists respond directly to the needs of local communities through a variety of media. At the heart of this course lies the belief that artists can play a profound role in transforming our time and shaping the future.