building bridges: arts and cultural organizations engaging with the military community
TRANSCRIPT
“Building Bridges: Arts and Cultural Organizations Engaging with the Military Community”Western Museums Association – San Jose
Monday, October 26, 2015
Felicia Kelley, PhD, Senior Program OfficerCalifornia Humanities
California Humanities (formerly Cal Humanities) seeks to connect Californians to ideas and one another in order to
understand our shared heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic participation, and shape our future.
California Humanities is an independent nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
War Comes Home
• Why?
War Comes Home
Context
War Comes Home
Goals and Objectives
Create opportunities for the veteran voice to be expressed and heard
Deepen understanding and awareness about the experience of coming home after
war/military service
Promote deeper thinking and discussion about the impact of war on California
communities
War Comes Home
Activities and Programs
The Legacy
The Legacy
The Legacy
War Ink
War Ink
• Memorial tattooing is a form of storytelling as well as a cultural signifier
• California veterans – mostly recent conflicts• Diverse experiences and backgrounds• Allows veterans to speak directly to the public and
for the public to “listen”• Thematic organization spans “arc” of veteran
experience – leaving home, service, and return • Images and words
War Ink
“… thank you…for getting it, for letting us tell our stories in our way”
What We’ve Learned
• Many veterans want to share stories, but others are cautious. • Importance of establishing trust and respect.• Partnerships can help bridge divisions – but be careful about
choosing partners. • Exhibits – and stories -- provide good entry points for those
unfamiliar with veteran community.• Veterans are very interested in these topics; may be more
difficult to engage civilians and to get to deeper issues.
www.calhum.org
Northern California Office -- OaklandSouthern California Office -- Los Angeles
Felicia Kelley, Senior Program [email protected] (213) 346-3239
.
Contact