Freedom is defined as the power to act, speak, or think independently without hindrance or restraint, yet many individuals in our country and beyond have little or no voice.
America is facing an authoritarian regime stripping our country of any sense of normalcy, and yet there are still persistent and passionate groups who have the wherewithal to fight back. One of those groups is the arts community.
So, on Nov. 21 and 22, galleries, museums, libraries, comedy clubs, theaters, concert halls, and more will host exhibitions, performances, and public events that will channel the urgency of the moment we are currently facing.
Organized by the visual artist Dread Scott and the playwright Lynn Nottage, Fall of Freedom defines itself as “an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation.”
Scott and Nottage described the effort as “an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation.”
The guidelines for participation are loosely defined, allowing participants to explore and expand their events without censorship. According to Fall of Freedom’s mission, the goal is to create a nationwide wave of creative resistance, designed to “celebrate the experiences, cultures, and identities that shape the fabric of our nation.
Numerous artists and cultural organizations have signed on to participate in the two-day demonstration, which aims to protest the Trump administration’s authoritarian overreach.
This event creates space for nationwide pushback against recent actions by Trump, including his replacement of the board and chairman of the Kennedy Center, and the recent closure of the Smithsonian Museum due to the current government shutdown.
By taking control of the narrative and activating a nationwide wave of creative resistance, Fall of Freedom reveals how art matters and artists are a threat to American fascism.
Like my own arts organization, Bader+Simon, which intends to participate with an online exhibition centering on incarceration and highlighting the work of the Immigrant Defense Project, many events will be available virtually.
However, numerous artists and organizations will offer in-person experiences. Visit the Fall of Freedom’s website for details and find a list of participants and events happening near you.
And if you are interested in participating, it’s not too late! Join the movement and develop a happening in your own community.
No effort is too big or too small, whether you’re running a 10,000-seat venue or a small high school library.
What matters is our collective voice and unwavering solidarity.
