Art, Access, and Urban Futures: Shaping Inclusive Democracies

Watch Art, Access, and Urban Futures

Within a rapidly urbanizing world, the spaces and communities we build influence the inclusion of those inhabiting cities. Art can be a tool both diplomats and those outside of government can use to help bridge existing divides. In a panel discussion, moderated by Ali Rogan (Correspondent at PBS NewsHour), speakers Megan Beyer (Director of the Department of State’s Art in Embassies Program), Scott Kratz (Director of the 11th Street Bridge Park), and Alan van Capelle (Executive Director of the Friends of the High Line) talked about how their respective projects were fostering a more welcoming democracy.

Here are some key takeaways from the panel:

1. The Key to the Right Notes 

“Art can make us feel what a diplomat can only try to make you understand,” Megan Beyer stated during the panel. She highlighted examples from Berlin, Geneva, and Havana, where artists like Shepard Fairey, Joan Baez, and Usher played pivotal roles in advancing U.S. foreign policy. Beyer emphasized how the State Department’s Art in Embassies program prominently features artistic expressions rooted in American values of democracy and creative freedom. She noted that artists, acting as cultural ambassadors, forge immediate and accessible connections with their audiences, often more effectively than traditional policymakers.

2. Local Focus 

Community engagement is a key consideration in the exhibition planning and curation process for The High Line in New York City. The complexities of managing the connection between local, metropolitan, and global visitors have resulted in a distinct approach to the park's administration. When engaging with artists, a curatorial team aids in choosing pieces for inclusion in the park. For larger works, the curators select 20 pieces for public discussion and display, gauging which works have the most support. The park also regularly engages with a “neighbors council” creating a more approachable atmosphere for historically marginalized groups.

3. Challenging Hierarchies 

For Washington, D.C.’s 11th Street Bridge, one of the initial primary concerns was community approval. Within an area historically underserved by Washington D.C.’s municipal projects, active local involvement was integrated at every step. At the planning stage, the project sought community input, breaking down the traditional hierarchy held between the developer and those who engage with space. By engaging with the community by implementing feedback, developers gathered suggestions such as an amphitheater, environmental center, and public art installations that tell the stories of the broader community. The bridge will be finished by late-2026 or early 2027.

4. Bridging Through Connections 

The unifying nature of art can often bring together communities that have been historically divided. The 11th Street Bridge Park aims to provide both a metaphorical and literal bridge between communities historically divided.  By incorporating the histories of Washington D.C.'s marginalized groups into the displayed art, visitors can experience the rich and complex narrative of these communities. The High Line similarly aims to combine groups of differing backgrounds by providing coupons for events to all participants in activities, like free salsa nights, regardless of socioeconomic status. The equity provided by these programs allows for all to share in the spaces, fostering new connections across cities. The equity provided by these programs allows for all to share in the spaces, fostering new connections across cities.

5. Accessibility for All 

As many as 1 in 4 Americans have a form of disability, and when designing Urban projects, making spaces accessible stands as one of the most pertinent considerations of modern architecture. As discussed by Alan van Capelle, the High Line has created exhibitions for those with visual impairments by creating sensory works that could be touched, both within and outside of the park. To help those with limited mobility, the park has been aiming to become more wheelchair accessible and has been developing its elevator infastructure.  The 11th Street Bridge organization has partnered with a Washington D.C. organization to collect oral histories to be played aloud, allowing those with auditory impairments to still participate in the exhibitions. The project has also been hosting health-focused events, reconnecting with the community that often deals with “toxic stress.”

Project summary

Art, Access, and Urban Futures: Shaping Inclusive Democracies | June 2024
Number of Attendees:	750
Impact Areas:	Cultural Diplomacy
Program Areas:	Culture