Debating through the Arts / Presentation and Interactive Workshop
Can you imagine including artists on the world stage at the UN, advocating for cultural participation in global affairs? This Salon will begin with a brief presentation by Bush and Allyn about a daylong theatrical event on Dec. 5, 2009, based on a Model United Nations paradigm. The performance included 4 teams of artists acting as UN Delegates, creatively debating the pros and cons of Freedom of Expression, and Gentrification and Cultural Equity.* The presenters will note how this model is evolving for Debate #2 on Sept. 26, 2010 at St. Elmo Village.
After the introduction, Bush and Allyn will conduct an interactive workshop that provides a “taste of the Debates.” The two will begin by facilitating a 15 minute discussion with Salon participants that distinguishes two sides of the following question, and how it effects Metabolic Studio, their neighbors, and / or downtown LA:
Gentrification and Cultural Equity: Can community members and local governments ensure cultural equity in the revitalization of their neighborhoods? How do we resolve the class war? Participants will then break into small groups to brainstorm “win / win” solutions – which can be as wild as one can imagine - for the issue debated. All will gather again to share the small group creative ideas, and to conclude the Salon workshop. The participating artists in Debate #1 included: Marjan Vayghan, Shana Nys Dambrot, Micol Hebron, Marissa Mercado, Michele Jaquis, Rosalyn Myles, Carol McDowell, Marcus Miceli, Juna Amano, Trinidad Ruiz, Beth Peterson; a socially-engaged lunch was provided by Portable City Projects with Jules Rochielle and Flora Kao.
Jerri Allyn has an MA in Art and Community from Goddard College (VT). Allyn creates site-oriented, interactive installations and performance art events that become a part of public life. The Artist Educator often collaborates, working extensively with new art genres. Allyn is a co-founding member of The Waitresses and Sisters of Survival, public performance art groups. Internationally exhibited, she has received a Rockefeller Foundation Residency, Italy; an International Lila Wallace Readers Digest Fellowship, Mexico; NY State Council on the Arts, LA Department of Cultural Affairs, and National Endowment for the Arts grants, among others.
Inez S. Bush, M.A. in Education, Leadership and Change, and BFA in Graphic Design, is an entrepreneur, creative director, graphic designer, trained facilitator and coach. Currently an Arts Consultant, she guides school districts in arts education implementation by developing and implementing integrated arts curricula, arts programs and professional development for educators. Ms. Bush is also co-founder, CEO and Creative Director of Gramercy Partners, Inc., an award-winning marketing, communications and design firm. Her thesis and lifework is focused on identifying the key to sustaining arts education and arts integrative methods in educational practices.