The Charles F. Kettering Foundation is dedicated to advancing inclusive democracies through citizen engagement, promoting government accountability, and countering authoritarianism. Their latest initiative, “Democracy and the Arts,” recognizes the power of art in expressing core democratic values such as individual freedom, mutual responsibility, fairness, belonging, and trust.
The foundation believes that all art makers have the potential to be democracy-makers, as art plays a crucial role in disrupting traditional thinking, fostering critical inquiry, facilitating meaningful conversations, and encouraging individuals to actively participate in building democratic communities.
In Dayton, Ohio, the foundation has welcomed Sierra Leone as its first artist-in-residence. Sierra Leone, a spoken word poet and educator with strong ties to the local arts and activist communities, is currently collaborating with the Human Race Theatre Company on “The Belonging Project.” This project explores the realization of the aspirations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Dayton through listening sessions that will culminate in an original play featuring community members and professional actors.
On a national level, the Kettering Foundation is supporting “Art in Action,” a segment developed in collaboration with PBS NewsHour’s Canvas team. This series aims to highlight the role of the arts in a democracy through episodes that have already aired, such as US Poet Laureate Ada LimĂłn’s project on climate change, an exploration of James Baldwin’s influence on art and activism, and LaToya Ruby Frazier’s exhibition “Monuments of Solidarity.”
The foundation’s approach seeks to integrate art and democracy by partnering with artists and arts organizations to creatively explore how inclusive democracy can be achieved. By fostering collaboration and creativity in the arts, the Kettering Foundation aims to inspire positive change and promote a more inclusive and democratic society.
To learn more about the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and their “Democracy and the Arts” initiative, visit their website at kettering.org.
