How will we remember these times?
What we as Artists, Cultural Workers, and Creatives do is vital, essential, transformative, even magical
“We’ve got to support our artists and celebrate their work and do our part to ensure that the American Creative Spirit that has defined us from the very beginning will thrive for generations to come.”
President Barack Obama
To Those who are Conscious:
At the beginning of this year, in my February 2020 Chair’s Reflection, I wrote that the year 2020, the first year in the second decade of the 21st century, would be a year of “clarity of vision.” I was partly basing this idea on the Snellen chart measurement, used by ophthalmologists to measure visual acuity — 20/20 vision, indicating how well one can see without glasses. I mentioned my New Year’s resolutions and my hopefulness, looking forward to all I/we would accomplish. This, even after the first shocking tragedy of the year, when basketball legend/filmmaker Kobe Bryant was killed with his daughter and seven others in January. We mentioned him in our memoriam at that meeting, citing his film, writing and design pursuits and quoting him on creativity. Little did we know that in the next few weeks, an invisible lifeform would bring many things more sharply into focus, changing the culture and course of the year for the entire planet.
It would impact everything we all planned to do this year and take away so many other creatives in its wake. Our memoriam lists at the end of our meetings grew longer and longer this year. Writer Isabel Wilkerson characterizes it this way in her groundbreaking book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents:
“The virus arrived on these shores, and it planted itself in the gaps of disparity, the torn kinships and fraying infrastructure in the country’s caste system, just as it exploited the weakened immune system in the human body. …
“The pandemic forced the nation to open its eyes to what it might not have wanted to see but needed to see, while forcing humanity to contemplate its impotence against the laws of nature.”
(Caste, p. 356–7)
I don’t need to recount the ensuing shutdowns that happened, or the number of dead (and counting). It is staggering. You don’t need me to tell you how scary this has been, how unsettling the triple pandemics of an out-of-control pathogen, or the chaos generated by the ongoing racist violence against the unarmed, the disenfranchised; and the ensuing worldwide civic unrest, or the devastating economic impact and resulting mental strain this has had on our society.
Then there were the added horrors of widespread environmental disasters. I awoke one morning to an eerie orange sky and felt like I had landed on Venus or Mercury. There were catastrophic wildfires burning up and down the West Coast. They ran out of names for the record number of hurricanes that decimated communities on the East Coast. Yes, Global Warming is real and in the present, not in some future dystopian nightmare that our children will inherit.
So much has been exposed and it all has been exacerbated by the toxic discourse and fractured ideologies generated politically and in recent elections. Plus, there are children, torn from their parents arms, still being held in cages at the southern border.
None of us need to be reminded of any of that. It has opened our collective eyes and made even more clear the painful fractures in our collective humanity.
How will we remember these times and how we got through them? What did we learn? Produce? Build? What did we willingly give up? How has our way of life changed irrevocably? These questions can be answered in part by the creatives, the innovators, by those who are conscious. Even the science of discovering treatments and a vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus requires imaginative, innovative, creative minds.
How we get through these disturbing times and emerge victoriously without the healing power of the arts and creative thinking, including our own, is the crux of the matter. The Truth is, we will not; we cannot. We need our creatives for, as Paul Robeson once said, “The artists are the Gatekeepers of the Truth.”
How will we remember these times and how we got through them? What did we learn? Produce? Build? What did we willingly give up? How has our way of life changed irrevocably? These questions can be answered in part by the creatives, the innovators, by those who are conscious.
These recent events have pushed communities into crisis, forcing us to cope with the ripple effects of myriad catastrophes. What do communities in crisis need, to heal and come together? Many have offered ideas and principles for using the arts to respond to these social emergencies, by putting the arts at the center of community healing. We claim to believe that engagement in the arts bridges the spaces between us and that the social capital this engagement builds benefits us all. However, it is still dependent on the value we find in trust and cooperation when we are a part of such a community. According to PolicyLink:
“For centuries, low-income communities and communities of color have used arts and culture to navigate and survive systemic racism and oppression. These strategies are essential to retaining collective memory, promoting healing, and liberating the potential within all of us.”
The Latin communitas means “public spirit.” The word “community” has unity embedded in it. Unity is from the Latin word unitatem, meaning oneness or unus, One. I am thankful that we at the California Arts Council have tried to embody this trust, as we continue to develop policies to benefit the creative communities of California and beyond and to bridge those spaces through the arts, while cooperatively working towards our stated goal of “strengthening the field of arts and culture and championing the truth that the Arts are an essential component in addressing the challenges facing our communities now, and in the future.”
Art has the power to inspire social and cultural change and to impart a greater understanding of the plight of those in the world around us. Shared experiences build empathy and demonstrate our connectedness as community and, in this case, a Global community. Artists’ works engender hope and ameliorate the healing process, not just by creating community, but also by lifting spirits and communicating positive messages that inspire positive cooperative action. They also empower those who are discouraged and feel powerless. This work is a part of the glue that keeps us together.
A decision the California Arts Council made over a year ago, while in the process of developing an updated Strategic Plan, proved to be timelier than we could have imagined then. After two years of debate, discussion, data gathering, research, writing and rewriting, we decided to include an Equity Statement that specifically calls out Race Equity as a foundational principle. Equity, as a verb, a practice, an action — not a destination, but a journey. In the process of embarking on that journey, we, as a Council, agreed to look at all we do through an equity lens, and that lens would take the bold step of incorporating race as a part of the vision and practice.
Our research shows us that:
“By prioritizing the attention to Racial Equity, everyone benefits because racial injustice is the most pervasive and entrenched form of injustice permeating the institutions and systems that everyone must access. By prioritizing attention to racial equity and improving systems for all, intersections with racial injustice and other pervasive societal inequities can be addressed.”
(CAC Strategic Framework 2020–2027, Equity Alignment, p. 6)
Now, one year later, society across the board is taking a hard look at systemic racism, implicit bias, overt prejudice, and outright brutality. Corporations, governmental agencies, and educational systems, etc. are all seemingly beginning to take the initial steps addressing these issues through changes and revisions in policies, practices and enculturation; the sustainability of which is yet to be seen. At the CAC, we were fortunate to partner with the Irvine Foundation and develop the pilot Administrators of Color Fellowship, with the goal of “uplifting an inclusive workforce, and seeking to address the dearth of opportunities for people of color in arts administration.” This, along with the new Strategic Framework, supports our collective commitment to Equity across the board and sets the stage for the CAC to “address societal and cultural inequities that have been a hindrance to the broader population’s access to the proven benefits of Art and Culture.”
I remain cautiously hopeful.
Beside the sociopolitical issues that have been laid bare, there is also a growing mental health crisis. We now know that engaging in the creative arts enhances our sense of well-being. It helps to keep us sane, can soothe anxiousness and lift us from depression. Art can give solace, entertain, help to educate our children and sustain us in so many ways. Art gives us a sense of a common purpose and, again, of Hope and Healing. There have been numerous studies on the benefits of the arts in the healing process. For example:
“The idea that creative expression can make a powerful contribution to the healing process has been embraced in many different cultures. Throughout recorded history, people have used pictures, stories, dances, and chants as healing rituals.”
(John Graham-Pole, Illness and the Art of Creative Self-Expression, p. 31)
“Medical Science has proven the efficacy of Art and creative engagement as an empowering source and catalyst for healing, revitalization and therapy. A recent study published by the World Health Organization found that Art has positive overall effects for mental and physical health at all stages of life.”
(Alissa Guzman, “The UN’s World Health Organization Says Art is a Powerful Prescription,” Hyperallergic)
How fortuitous, then, that the Council decided two years ago to institute a pilot grant program that addresses the intersections between Art and Health/Well-Being and Art and Technology. This program could not be more timely, considering the current public health crisis we are facing. While my heart is aching for all of the suffering that we are witnessing right now, I am fortified with the knowledge that we can and do make a difference. This work is not just about aesthetics. It is also about health equity, and therefore social justice work.
Psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant suggests, “Justice work is mental health work. As we work to create a better, healthier world, we must tend to the world within us.” She encourages us to “do something to refill our inner world so that we are not pouring from an empty cup.”
One of the things we can turn to to fill that cup is the creative arts, which have been a constant for many people during this time. Engagement with the arts and its ability to enhance the general quality of life, give spiritual sustenance and bring some semblance of meaning to an upended world is essential to getting the general public through this crisis. I read a social media post recently that said: “If you think art and artists are unimportant; try spending this time sheltering at home without music, books, video games, movies, paintings, sculpture and photographs!” This is so true, between art making and art consuming, creativity is exploding and being shared and broadcast across the airwaves, from children to Boomers to Zoomers. The outpouring of artists responding to the virus, to the police brutality and civic unrest is one effective way to empower and give voice to the fear, anger and frustration. People are creating signs, poetry, music and murals in response to and as a way of spreading the message that enough is enough. Echoes of “No Justice, No Peace!” showing up on T-shirts, chalk drawings on the street and even face masks is a testament to the fact that the creative spirit is moving in society.
Artists and cultural workers are, in effect, Second Responders, complementing the work of what we recognize as our heroic First Responders and Essential Workers. People are doing this work with compassion, commitment and care. Many, because they must, and because we all need them to. We need the farmworkers, construction workers, the bus drivers, the grocery store clerks, the EMTs and doctors, nurses, firefighters, conscious and humane police. We need and cannot forget them in the midst of this madness. They, along with the artists, educators and other creatives are what make society function and are a part of what gives us commonality and unity as a people. It’s a survival mechanism. This is also what Art does. It enables humanity to survive. Artist and scholar Dr. Samella Lewis tells us, “Art is not a luxury as many people think. It documents history — it helps educate people and stores knowledge for generations to come.” In other words, creativity is essential to our common humanity, and ultimately, to our legacy.
It’s a survival mechanism. This is also what Art does. It enables humanity to survive.
Creative people make and engage in art out of necessity — not only as creative outlets, but also to express joy, pain, love, hurt, spirituality and hope. They also do it as a mechanism to protest and to give voice and inspiration to those who are in need. Even as we absorb their works now, artists, cultural workers and other creatives will continue to document the 2020 Quarantine Times of the Novel Coronavirus — the Destroyer; as well as the politics and protests generated by the Black Lives Matter movement, the healthcare and environmental crises, systemic racism, homelessness and other pressing social issues.
“At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer; a wordless trust of the same mystery is the foundation of your work and its integrity.”
(Rachel Naomi Remen, MD)
That said, I am also thrilled that the CAC has reinstituted a Fellowship for Individual Artists. I have always advocated for the autonomy of individual artists to be able to practice their own art, on their own terms. I believe this to be a foundational catalyst for creative growth in society that helps preserve the cultural identities of the communities these artists come from and live in.
These unprecedented times will continue to be written about, painted, photographed, choreographed and danced; plays will be performed and films made of these epic times. This gives solace and hope. What we, as artists, cultural workers, and creatives do is indeed vital, essential, transformative, even magical. I am reminded of this by a poem:
We will create sunshine out of tears
Hope out of despair
Life out of death traps
Flowers will grow on barren land
We Are MagicWe will create light out of darkness
An oasis in the desert
We will make a way out of no way
We Are MagicWe will make music out of the Wind
We will dance when there is no song
We Are MagicWe will create sunshine out of tears
Hope out of despair
Life out of death traps
We will work and never get tired
We will create bright moments
Out of a sea of darkness
We Are Magicby Nomusa Xaba
It’s Been A Long Time Coming: A Memoir
The California Arts Council is recognized nationally as a leader in the field. I entreat you all to continue to move forward with the intention of continuing to lead the way. Remember: Creativity Is Californian.
By the way, in support of the Arts in education, I still think that S.T.E.A.M. is a more effective, comprehensive pedagogy than S.T.E.M. As a brilliant young music student once told me, “S.T.E.A.M. puts the heat under S.T.E.M.!” With continued CAC support, one day, hopefully, it will prevail. I still believe, with all my heart, despite these desperately bleak and turbulent times, that Art Has the Power to Heal the Heart of Humanity.
Finally, as I complete my six years on the California Arts Council, and my third year as Chair, I wish to thank all who have been supportive in this vital enterprise. It’s been a blast; we got some good work done. I am grateful to my fellow Council members, both past and present, who showed unflagging commitment to this work. I am also most grateful to the various legislators and other cultural workers who gave vital support to us when we needed it. For the most part, the CAC staff is awesome. From the beginning, I have found them to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic, supportive, and they have kept me grounded. I’ve made some lifelong friends.
I am also grateful to my family, without whom, I could not have made this journey. My husband and my son have both been de facto members of the CAC, their loving sustenance and cooperation allowed me to do this work, and I appreciate the sacrifice they’ve had to make.
Finally, as I complete my six years on the California Arts Council, and my third year as Chair, I wish to thank all who have been supportive in this vital enterprise.
As 2020 closes, with all of its tragedy and uncertainty, one thing is for sure: Our eyes have been opened and the 20/20 visual clarity we have gained will hopefully strengthen our resilience and resolve in the coming year. Even though he was a casualty, along with so many artists in this past year, the words of Johnny Nash keep playing in my head as I write this:
I can see clearly now the rain is gone / I can see all obstacles in my way /
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind /
It’s gonna be a bright (bright) bright sunshiny day
A luta continua; vitoria e certa!
(The struggle continues, but victory is certain!)
Peace,
Nashormeh Lindo
Chair
“A person should hear a little music, read a little poetry and see a fine picture every day of life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Nashormeh N.R. Lindo is an artist, arts educator, consultant, and curator based in Oakland, California. Nashormeh was appointed to the California Arts Council by Governor Jerry Brown in October of 2014 and reappointed in February 2017. From April 22, 2016 to January 25, 2018, she served as Vice Chair. On January 25, 2018, she was elected 21st Chair of the Council. Her term on the Council expires January 1, 2021.
