American Artists Mobilize for Voter Turnout in 2020 US Elections
During the divisive 2020 US presidential election, various artists initiated campaigns to encourage voter participation. Orange Barrel Media's Art for Action showcased pieces by Carrie Mae Weems, Tomashi Jackson, Jeffrey Gibson, and Jenny Holzer across 350 digital displays in 16 cities. In Los Angeles, Aram Han Sifuentes created The Official Unofficial Voting Station, enabling marginalized communities to symbolically vote online until November 30. The Plan Your Vote initiative by Vote.org partnered with prominent US museums, featuring artwork from Patti Smith and Guerrilla Girls for social media. Nina Katchadourian's Monument to the Unelected is on view at Pace Gallery in New York until December 12. Additionally, New York Magazine engaged 48 artists to redesign I Voted stickers, while Artists Band Together sold designer bandanas on eBay for charity.
Key facts
- Art for Action campaign by Orange Barrel Media featured artists Jeffrey Gibson, Jenny Holzer, Tomashi Jackson, Carrie Mae Weems on 350 digital screens in 16 US cities.
- Aram Han Sifuentes' The Official Unofficial Voting Station runs until November 30, organized by Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles.
- Vote.org's Plan Your Vote campaign involved artists Patti Smith, Laurie Simmons, Derrick Adams, American Artist, Guerrilla Girls.
- Nina Katchadourian's Monument to the Unelected is on view at Pace Gallery New York until December 12.
- Antoni Muntadas and Marshall Reese's 97-minute film of political ads was presented online by the Getty Museum.
- New York Magazine commissioned 48 artists for I Voted stickers, including Shepard Fairey, Barbara Kruger, David Hammons, Lorna Simpson.
- Mana Urban Arts Project's Project 270 created posters for all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico.
- Artists Band Together sold bandanas by 15 artists on eBay for Charity, benefiting Rise, Mijente, and Woke Vote.
Entities
Artists
- Jeffrey Gibson
- Jenny Holzer
- Tomashi Jackson
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Aram Han Sifuentes
- Patti Smith
- Laurie Simmons
- Derrick Adams
- American Artist
- Guerrilla Girls
- Nina Katchadourian
- Antoni Muntadas
- Marshall Reese
- Shepard Fairey
- Barbara Kruger
- David Hammons
- Lorna Simpson
- Ron English
- Daniel Minter
- Ted Kim
- Imagine (Sneha Shrestha)
- Alex Israel
- Marilyn Minter
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Lisa Anne Auerbach
Institutions
- Orange Barrel Media
- Skirball Cultural Center
- Vote.org
- Pace Gallery
- Getty Museum
- New York Magazine
- Mana Urban Arts Project
- eBay for Charity
- Rise
- Mijente
- Woke Vote
- Artists 4 Democracy
Locations
- United States
- Los Angeles
- California
- New York
- New Jersey
- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico