Social movements and the arts community often go hand-in-hand, as illustrated by arts institutions across the country calling for change and calling for justice over social media.
In a show of support for the Black Lives Matter protests that have erupted across the country, many local arts organizations participated in the #BlackOutTuesday social media campaign on June 2. As part of the campaign, individuals and organizations posted black squares on their social media feeds in a sign of solidarity for Black Lives Matters. Museums across the country have called for action and theaters in New York City have opened their lobbies to shelter protesters and offer them a space to rest.
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, ACT of Connecticut, Ridgefield School of Dance, Ridgefield Theatre Barn, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Greenwich Historical Society, Wilton Historical Society, Danbury Museum, Quick Center, Keeler Tavern Museum, Silvermine Art Center, Thrown Stone Theatre Company, the SONO Sidewalk Gallery and Western Connecticut State University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts also posted in solidarity for #blackouttuesday. The Pequot Library, The Bruce Museum, the Fairfield Performing Arts Studio and Long Wharf Theater have also posted statements about how they stand against racism. The New Canaan Museum and Historical Society has shared photos from a peaceful protest in New Canaan on June 5. The museum also previously posted photos and a link to a news story about the New Canaan Experiment, where a group of black student teachers from the South interned and taught at the predominately white school in New Canaan in 1968 in an effort to teach tolerance.
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