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History by Design: Art That Inspires Change Resources

“A museum is a school; The Artist learns to communicate; The public learns to make connections.” –Luis Camnitzer

Lens Description

Art That Inspires Change

This lens is all about examining art’s role in evoking societal change. Art has played a major role in most social movements from the graffiti art on the Berlin Wall to the hope poster created for Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. Art has a unique power to change public opinion, get people to think differently/more critically, and inspire them to take action.

► Protest art

A picture's worth a thousand words: Protest art

► Political advertisements and cartoons

The role of political advertisements and cartoons in changing hearts and minds