Black Lives Matter
June 4, 2020
We are outraged and horrified by the injustices perpetrated against communities of color and we stand in solidarity with our city in protest of injustices here and all over the country. George Floyd's life mattered. Breonna Taylor's life mattered. Ahmaud Arbery's life mattered. Tony McDade’s life mattered. Black lives matter. We hear you and we see you and we stand with you.
How do we, as a contemporary art museum, as a civic-minded organization, and as human beings living in this incredibly complex world, fully understand what this moment demands of us? Listening is one part of our responsibility and acting is another.
We are committed to continuing to use our platform in thoughtful and creative ways to share the art of this time and how it reflects this rapidly evolving world back to us; to further our work of being a place that hosts important dialogues with one another; and to continue offering connection, community, and consolation. Ultimately, we believe that art brings us together and helps us process, grapple with, and respond to our ever-changing world. Most importantly, art affirms our humanity.
On July 1, we plan to open Nari Ward: We the People, an exhibition that urgently reflects upon many of the themes being discussed in the public sphere right now. For decades, Ward’s work has highlighted some of the most searing aspects of American culture, including racism and power as well as national identity and immigration. Now more than ever, we believe it will resonate with our city in this moment of crisis.
We are committed to adjusting, iterating, and building upon our work as we move forward, but for now you can look for:
- Additional digital program offerings intended to further a sense of connection and community and to foster critical dialogue;
- Programming accompanying our upcoming exhibition, Nari Ward: We the People, which reflects upon themes of racism and identity as embedded in different aspects of American life. Later this year we have another exhibition planned, Citizenship: A Practice of Society, which aims to take stock of the prolific politically-oriented creativity of the last four years and will feature more related programming than we’ve ever produced;
- Our social media channels and website to showcase more diverse voices and stories and, of course, more art;
- In our shop, we are taking initiatives to promote and showcase more items from Black artists, makers, and business owners;
- And an institutional commitment to comprehensive diversity and inclusion efforts within our own organization, with our staff and board, and with increased resources to enact necessary and systemic change.
If you are so inclined to provide feedback, please respond to this single question survey, intended to help us ensure we are serving you as best we can.
We stand with you, Denver. 
Nora Burnett Abrams
Mark G. Falcone Director