Isolation Busting: The Power of Socially Engaged Art-Making

Artists sequestered in their studios endeavoring to produce work worthy of galleries or museums often fail to serve the population that needs art the most: the poor, the isolated, the underprivileged. For art professor and sculptor Rod Northcutt, making art is rooted in social practice – connecting people in meaningful ways that create opportunities to share skills and that foster individuals' confidence in their own creativity. This lecture will focus on those efforts, via the development and successes of the non-profit MAKETANK Inc., which he co-founded. MAKETANK designs engaging, educational ‘builder’ programming year round, and produces the Oxford Kinetics Festival, an annual event celebrating people powered propulsion, and drawing over 2000 participants. Learn about the power of socially engaged art forms, as well as the relationships, negotiations, and practical psychology needed to win the trust of a reluctant community.

This lecture begins at 7pm. It takes place at Yestermorrow Design/Build School. It is free and open to the public.

Oct 24, 2024, 1:30 to 2:30 PM

Oct 24, 2024, 6 to 8 PM

Oct 28, 2024, 6 to 7:30 PM