WINDOWS
OF
UNDERSTANDING
WE SEE THROUGH HATE
The vision for this public art project is to transform our “main street” spaces into literal windows of understanding; spaces in which the community can learn about the positive strides being made by local organizations around a wide array of social justice issues that don’t make daily headlines. Windows of Understanding is a creative, community-building response to the negativity and hate being perpetuated in today’s media landscape. Our belief is that through visual language, artists can communicate methods of understanding in powerful ways that cut across cultural boundaries.
Now in its seventh year, 20 non-profit organizations will be paired with an artist facilitator to create an original work of art that addresses the following issues related to building a healthy community: CLIMATE CHANGE; FOOD EQUITY; HUMAN RIGHTS, and VIOLENCE PREVENTION. The works will be on display at venues throughout New Brunswick, Highland Park, Metuchen, Rahway and South Plainfield NJ from January 15 - March 31, 2024.
Programming such as panel discussions, educational workshops, community conversations and wellness sessions complement the visual displays throughout the run.
PRESENTED BY
New Brunswick Community Arts Council
Comprised of leaders from across the Arts sector appointed by the Mayor to serve three year terms, the New Brunswick Community Arts Council exists to promote a diverse range of Art and Culture throughout the city. “Windows of Understanding” is a pilot project that complements the council’s existing programs such as “Paint the Town” and the annual New Brunswick Holiday Market.
Mason Gross School of the Arts at
Rutgers University
Established in 1976, Mason Gross School of the Arts is the flagship public arts conservatory of New Jersey and a division of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Founded in 1766, Rutgers is the nation’s eighth-oldest institution of higher learning, a leading Big Ten public research university with more than 71,000 students, and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The Mason Gross School is home to the departments of Art & Design, Dance, Music, and Theater as well as Rutgers Community Arts, Rutgers Arts Online, the Rutgers Filmmaking Center, and the Rutgers Print Collaborative. The school has an enrollment of approximately 861 undergraduates and 308 graduate students across five disciplines, supported by approximately 324 faculty and 69 staff. Students at Mason Gross hail from 31 states and territories and 23 countries. Mason Gross is one of the most selective schools at Rutgers–New Brunswick, ensuring that students have the opportunity to work closely with accomplished artists in their fields.
The Highland Park Arts Commission
The purpose of the Arts Commission is to support and facilitate cultural programs in Highland Park for the benefit of its residents. Such programs may include, but are not limited to, dance, theatre, music, visual arts, poetry, spoken word, culinary arts, fashion design, paper arts, woodworking and interdisciplinary art forms. Of particular interest to the Arts Commission is both the inclusion of diverse cultural programming and the training of students (of any age) in these art forms.
The Metuchen Arts Council
Established in 1967 to advocate and promote culturally enriching programs which foster an appreciation for the arts in their community, they accomplish our mission by: Sponsoring exciting, innovative and entertaining programs in all arts disciplines; by supporting local artists and arts organizations through grants, sponsorships and networking opportunities; by working with others to create a welcoming community to attract artists and audiences of all ages, backgrounds and cultures; and by being an advocate for arts education at all levels.
The South Plainfield Cultural Arts Commission
The South Plainfield Cultural Arts Commission was founded to promote a variety of cultural arts programs to the residents of South Plainfield.