In each issue of the Artists 4 Democracy newsletter, we share actions that you as an artist can take to help strengthen our democracy. This month, we’re focused on voting.
ACTION ITEM
Vote by November 8!
The future of our democracy is on the ballot in November. Consider these facts:
While 61% of Americans believe abortion should be legal, Republicans have revoked constitutional protections for abortion and introduced a bill to ban all abortions after 15 weeks.
Although 71% of Americans support equal marriage, far-right Justice Clarence Thomas has made it clear he wants the Supreme Court to overturn LGBTQ+ marriage rights. (He also wants to limit access to contraception!)
Even though 57% of Americans believe voting is a fundamental right for every US citizen and should not be restricted, Republican lawmakers in states across the country are passing legislation to restrict voting access, especially for voters of color.
The Republican party continues to embrace as its leader a man who’s been accused of at least 48 criminal offenses while he was President, is being sued by the State of New York for persistent large-scale business fraud, and is throwing a temper tantrum because he was caught stealing classified documents.
Republican governors are kidnapping immigrants. Hate groups are organizing to ban books in schools and libraries. Authoritarian groups are using intimidation, misinformation, white nationalism, and outright violence to attack local elected officials and undermine democracy.
We can put a stop to their unjust behavior, and the first step is voting. If all of us who believe in justice, self-determination, fairness, and equity show up on Election Day, we can achieve two things together:
We’ll vote the worst actors out of office AND
We’ll send a strong message to both political parties that we want them to protect our rights
Are the candidates perfect? Of course they’re not—they’re human beings. But they are different from each other. Choose the ones you like best. Or the ones you dislike least—the French call this “building a dam” against the far right.
What if your favorite candidate lost in the primary election? Then pick the next best option this time around. Refusing to vote now might help someone much worse get elected.
Will things change overnight? No, protecting our democracy and rebuilding our communities is a marathon and Artists 4 Democracy invites you to join us. We’re in it for the long haul. This election is just a start.
When you don’t vote, you give your voice to someone else. Don’t give it away to someone who will use it to undermine your rights.
Election Day is November 8, and we recommend making a Vote Plan in advance. That way you’ll have everything in order and be ready to cast your ballot. Here are a few of our favorite resources to help you make your plan:
VotersEdge (for California voters)
ProPublica’s Quick & Easy Guide
For more information on why you should vote, read A4D’s earlier newsletters about reproductive rights, voting in the primary election, and the fight to protect voting rights.
MORE ARTISTS FOR DEMOCRACY
Where you’ll find Artists 4 Democracy on campus this election season
Artists 4 Democracy was founded in the spirit of radical practicality to bring together artists, arts educators, and students to protect democracy by mobilizing the art community for political action and civic engagement. We’re an all-volunteer group of artists, and since 2017 we’ve participated in voter registration drives; organized artist talks, art sales, and fundraisers; and canvassed door-to-door, online, by text, and by phone.
In the lead-up to the 2022 midterm elections, we are holding workshops, exhibitions, and talks focusing on how to use art and design to get out the vote (GOTV). Yes, you need to vote, but you can do even more. We want artists and art students to use your special skills to encourage others to vote too. Here’s a sampling of what we’re doing on campuses this fall.
Cal State Northridge
As part of the WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? exhibition at CSUN Arts Galleries exploring the intersection of inventive design and political activism, we are holding a series of workshops on making signs, zines, costumes, and viral videos. Materials created by students will be incorporated into the exhibit as they’re created, and will be up from October 20 to November 10.
Cal State Bakersfield
A4D will meet with a series of art classes to share our work as well as information about how to register and vote. We’re also holding a zine making class where students can create their own GOTV materials.
Glendale Community College
A4D member Marisa J. Futernick has a solo exhibition at The Art Gallery at GCC called Popular Vote, featuring new and recent works that consider what constitutes “Americanness.” The exhibit runs from October 1 to November 18, and includes a sign-making workshop on October 21 and a panel discussion on art and civic engagement on Nov 2. The opening reception is Saturday October 1, 4–7pm. All events are free and open to the public.
College of the Canyons
Founding A4D member Deborah Aschheim is partnering with College of the Canyons Center for Civic Engagement to do a voter teach-in for clients and staff at Bridge to Home transitional housing center.
Columbus State University (Georgia)
Aschheim will also be Visiting Artist in Residence October 2–14, working with photo and design students on GOTV projects to energize campus voters. Among her activities will be a roundtable discussion with local grassroots voter outreach organizations and a sign-making workshop.
North Carolina School of the Arts
A4D member Bronwyn Mauldin will give a keynote address on arts and civic engagement to students on October 11. Her Democracy Series zine Testify! is assigned reading for all NCSA high school seniors this year. She will also be teaching zine making workshops.
What are you doing to help get out the vote? Share it with us on Instagram at @a4d_artistsfordemocracy.
Do you have a friend who has questions about voting? Share this newsletter with them! Or just have a conversation about why voting is so important. Whoever you are, wherever you live: protect your right to vote by exercising it.
Thanks for reading the Artists 4 Democracy Newsletter. Artists 4 Democracy promotes democratic and civic engagement by mobilizing artists to get involved in political action.
Want to get involved? Get on our mailing list or engage with our Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!