In early August, a collective of artists and allies convened in a Brooklyn studio with one pressing question: Following the Trump administration’s increasingly stringent grip on the arts, what role should they play? From a series of weekly discussions emerged a groundbreaking initiative that brings together artists and cultural organizations from across the nation, dubbed “Fall of Freedom”—a term that cleverly reflects both the vulnerability and opportunities of our current landscape, depending on perspective.
“Our goal was to emphasize the dual implications of freedom’s decline alongside its reclamation,” explained visual artist Jenny Polak, one of the project’s co-founders, during a phone interview with Hyperallergic. Polak, known for her work addressing the intersections of immigrant detention and forced labor, is instrumental in shaping the initiative’s vision.
Starting in late November, all kinds of participants—from comedians to indie bookstores to major music venues—are encouraged to engage in acts of “creative resistance” against what organizers characterize as “authoritarian forces sweeping the nation.” As Laura Raicovich, writer-curator and project initiator, envisions, the ultimate aim is for people across the U.S. to effortlessly encounter a Fall of Freedom event in their vicinity.
“When we experience a stellar piece of art, it broadens our perspectives and encourages us to see the world differently,” Raicovich shared with Hyperallergic. “[Art] allows us to truly imagine the changes we desire in the world.” Raicovich, the former director of the Queens Museum and interim director at the Leslie Lohman Museum of Art, was also the inaugural Tremaine Curatorial Fellow for Journalism at Hyperallergic.
Highlighted on the project’s website are various suggested creative actions, including public recitations of banned literature and organized drag story hours—events that President Trump has dismissed as “anti-American nonsense.” Participants can register their events, allowing them to be showcased on a national map for widespread visibility and sharing.
Prominent figures driving the initiative encompass playwright Lynn Nottage, performance artist Cassils, and visual artist Dread Scott, whose provocative 1988 installation, “What is the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag?”, sparked nationwide debate and led to a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on protected speech. Among the project participants are musician John Legend, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and author Jennifer Egan. An ever-growing array of cultural institutions, such as Dallas Contemporary and the Public Theater in New York, highlights the extensive network involved.
In recent months, the Trump administration has escalated its campaign against the arts, which serve as a foundation for democratic expression. The government has drastically reduced funding for key entities like the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, targeted cultural leaders, and dismantled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.
Artists are also reporting alarming levels of censorship and suppression of their creativity. A concerning indicator occurred earlier this year when Amy Sherald withdrew her exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution over fears that her depiction of a transgender woman would be censored.
“This feels like a gravely troubling moment in American history,” remarked artist Miguel Luciano to Hyperallergic. “Yet rather than succumbing to fear, we aim to unite people by celebrating the strength of our art, culture, and identities, as well as the freedom of creative expression… This is the moment when artists must rise to the challenge.”
