In the wake of the 2018 midterm elections, For Freedoms: Where Do We Go From Here? explores the role of art and visual representation in American civil life through the work of the For Freedoms collective. Founded in 2016 by Hank Willis Thomas and Eric Gottesman, For Freedoms is an artist-led platform that investigates how art and artists can help deepen public discourse and political awareness in the United States.The exhibition features a series of photographs that re-envision American artist Norman Rockwell’s paintings of the "Four Freedoms" articulated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union Address. Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear are embodied in stylized scenes of the everyday that reference Rockwell’s iconic style while bringing new, more inclusive representations of the country to the discussion of our core values.In September 2018, For Freedoms launched a nationwide initiative, partnering with over 150 artists and community organizations in what would become the largest creative collaboration in our country’s history. The 50-State Initiative, a series of decentralized exhibitions, public art commissions, town halls, and other events, reinforced the idea that citizenship is defined by participation, and not by ideology. Continuing in this spirit of collaboration, the exhibition also serves as an active space in which members of For Freedoms, nonprofits, and the public are invited to discuss the importance of civic engagement and develop educational programming based on the project.

In the spring of 2018, the San Diego City Council voted to join an amicus brief opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit against so-called sanctuary city laws. However, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the City’s mayor supported the administration’s lawsuit against sanctuary policies, and opposed the California Values Act (SB 54). In an effort to protect immigrants, the California Values Act (SB 54) limits cooperation between law enforcement and federal authorities, ensuring that state and local resources are not used to support any attempts by federal authorities to carry out deportations. Today, more than 5,000 troops have been deployed to assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the border with Mexico. Meanwhile, 90,000 commuters continue to cross between Tijuana and San Diego each day, making this region vibrant, diverse, and economically strong. This project makes a bold proposition—to transform the Museum into a sanctuary. For centuries, people facing oppression and persecution have found solace in churches, temples, and other places of refuge where law enforcement has no jurisdiction. Can museums today similarly serve as a healing and safe space? Can we find relief in the possibility of working together to amplify our voices and empower our community? Can we recognize, as one of the posters in the project states, that this is “THE COUNTRY OF THE IMMIGRANT”? MCASD’s Fayman Gallery, located at 1001 Kettner Blvd., will serve as a communal pop-up printing studio that aims to raise awareness about the recently enacted immigration policies, showing how these policies affect our communities. Join us from 12 to 1:15 PM on select weekend dates as we create posters and foster dialogue in a place of safety.

In the spring of 2018, the San Diego City Council voted to join an amicus brief opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit against so-called sanctuary city laws. However, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the City’s mayor supported the administration’s lawsuit against sanctuary policies, and opposed the California Values Act (SB 54). In an effort to protect immigrants, the California Values Act (SB 54) limits cooperation between law enforcement and federal authorities, ensuring that state and local resources are not used to support any attempts by federal authorities to carry out deportations. Today, more than 5,000 troops have been deployed to assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the border with Mexico. Meanwhile, 90,000 commuters continue to cross between Tijuana and San Diego each day, making this region vibrant, diverse, and economically strong. This project makes a bold proposition—to transform the Museum into a sanctuary. For centuries, people facing oppression and persecution have found solace in churches, temples, and other places of refuge where law enforcement has no jurisdiction. Can museums today similarly serve as a healing and safe space? Can we find relief in the possibility of working together to amplify our voices and empower our community? Can we recognize, as one of the posters in the project states, that this is “THE COUNTRY OF THE IMMIGRANT”? MCASD’s Fayman Gallery, located at 1001 Kettner Blvd., will serve as a communal pop-up printing studio that aims to raise awareness about the recently enacted immigration policies, showing how these policies affect our communities. Join us from 12 to 1:15 PM on select weekend dates as we create posters and foster dialogue in a place of safety.

In the spring of 2018, the San Diego City Council voted to join an amicus brief opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit against so-called sanctuary city laws. However, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the City’s mayor supported the administration’s lawsuit against sanctuary policies, and opposed the California Values Act (SB 54). In an effort to protect immigrants, the California Values Act (SB 54) limits cooperation between law enforcement and federal authorities, ensuring that state and local resources are not used to support any attempts by federal authorities to carry out deportations. Today, more than 5,000 troops have been deployed to assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the border with Mexico. Meanwhile, 90,000 commuters continue to cross between Tijuana and San Diego each day, making this region vibrant, diverse, and economically strong. This project makes a bold proposition—to transform the Museum into a sanctuary. For centuries, people facing oppression and persecution have found solace in churches, temples, and other places of refuge where law enforcement has no jurisdiction. Can museums today similarly serve as a healing and safe space? Can we find relief in the possibility of working together to amplify our voices and empower our community? Can we recognize, as one of the posters in the project states, that this is “THE COUNTRY OF THE IMMIGRANT”? MCASD’s Fayman Gallery, located at 1001 Kettner Blvd., will serve as a communal pop-up printing studio that aims to raise awareness about the recently enacted immigration policies, showing how these policies affect our communities. Join us from 12 to 1:15 PM on select weekend dates as we create posters and foster dialogue in a place of safety.

AIA Birmingham’s primary goal is to promote good design and quality in the practice of architecture.

Class Action is a graphic design collective that creates visual messages to advocate social change. The group’s goal is to influence the way public issues are understood and to motivate audiences to participate in civic dialogue. The designers of Class Action initiated, wrote, designed and published these projects collaboratively. The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.

This institution is a partner of the For Freedoms 50 State Initiative.

The Stamps Gallery is a dynamic space for the entire community to experience the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design’s scholarship, values, and transdisciplinary creative work. As part of the University of Michigan, Stamps Gallery's exhibitions, publications, and public programs highlight and foster the critical relationship between research and creative practices. They are a non-collecting institution — functioning in the Kunsthalle tradition — committed to deepening the understanding of contemporary art and design practices. They respond to the urgent questions and events of their time, sparking action, inquiry, and conversation.