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"At Bloomberg Philanthropies, we're big believers in public art, because we know what's possible when cities and artists join forces as creative partners."
— Mike Bloomberg
The Arts are a critical part of our mission to improve and extend lives. The creative sector is uniquely able to convene people in ways that foster inspiration, communication, and collaboration — all necessary for social cohesion and resilience.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the sudden absence of shared cultural opportunities was devastating — and amplified the challenges of quarantine and social distancing. As we begin to gather together again, art and culture will be more vital than ever before in reforging our communities.
In this edition of the Impact Newsletter, we're proud to showcase a few of the many arts programs and projects that Bloomberg Philanthropies supports. In every case, we've tried to highlight art you can engage with onsite, or online from wherever you are.
After a year of limitations, we're happy to see these possibilities come to life.
— Bloomberg Philanthropies
As part of our Public Art Challenge, the Greenwood Art Project is commemorating the centennial of the Black Wall Street Massacre, raising awareness of the loss of life and destruction, and celebrating the resilience of the Black community. Led by MacArthur Award winning artist, Rick Lowe, 30 artists opened visual art installations, performances, historical tours, virtual exhibits, and films at dozens of locations throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma. For those who can't visit in person, explore the projects on the Greenwood Art Project site, or access the digital guide available on Bloomberg Connects.
"Maya Lin's 'Ghost Forest' isn't only a beautiful work of public art — it also communicates the urgency of acting on climate change," said our CEO Patti Harris when she and Mike visited the Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported installation in Manhattan's Madison Square Park. The project from Maya Lin transplants a stand of 40-foot tall Atlantic white cedar trees to downtown Manhattan as an awe-inspiring reminder of the beauty of nature, and the threat of environmental degradation. Visit the Ghost Forest in person if you're in New York City, or online to explore images, take a virtual audio tour, watch a video with the artist, and immerse yourself in an environmental soundscape.
Our Asphalt Art Initiative helps cities engage and energize their public spaces with art, while also improving public safety and enhancing foot traffic in business districts. You can read more about Asphalt Art in recent New York Times coverage, and explore our interactive map to see completed projects, watch videos with the artists, and learn where new installations are planned.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is a proud supporter of the Tribeca Film Festival, where innovative filmmakers come each year to share their bold visions. This year, you can access dozens of films as part of Tribeca At Home, starting June 9 and running through June 23.
Learn more and browse the films → | Bloomberg Philanthropies was included in a recent TODAY Show segment on the value of public art. The piece looked at how public projects can help people see their communities in a new way — and took a close look at one of our Public Art Challenge winners, A New View Camden.
Watch now → |
Photo Spotlight  A look inside one of the works from the Greenwood Art Project: The American Dream by Sarah Ahmad offers an "unexpected sanctuary" with multiple symbolic elements, including the canvas tent modeled after emergency shelters constructed following the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Learn more →.   
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More Stories Click any of the links below to get the Bloomberg Connects app, and open up digital access to these facilities and many others around the world:
Know someone who would be interested in the Impact Newsletter? Forward this email or tell them to subscribe here. | About our work Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 810 cities and 170 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Education, Government Innovation, Environment, and the Arts.  Public Health | |  Education | |  Government
Innovation | |  Environment | |  The Arts | | Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.6 billion. Learn more at Bloomberg.org Click here to stop receiving the Bloomberg Philanthropies Impact Newsletter Click here to unsubscribe from all Bloomberg Philanthropies emails Bloomberg Philanthropies All content © 2021. All rights reserved. | |
