A Moment for Art and Activism: Be the Change

Since 2020, larger than life art tzedakah boxes have appeared in cities across the US as part of the Be the Change tzedakah/justice inspired public art movement, empowering thousands of people to be agents of change in a very broken world.

Born in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, a moment of racial reckoning in the US, through Be the Change the Jewish Arts Collaborative has been bold in addressing existential issues like systemic racism, climate change, reproductive justice– looking to the authentic voices of artists to help us all think global and act local through this work.

This year, in the heat of this election moment, as hostages continue to be held in Gaza, on a backdrop of alarmingly high ocean temperatures, it feels more real than ever that the world as we know it is falling apart, and we need safe and healing spaces. Be the Change creates this space, both physically by placing art in the public sphere, and socially by giving artists a platform to be the nuanced leadership voices we need today.

Opening in August in the iconic Fenway neighborhood, the Boston 2024 show features work by six Boston area artists, each of whom is passionate about change making.

Ben Sloat encourages us to pause, to think, to reflect in a world that moves quickly, losing sight of the lessons of the past. His piece considers history, local and regional architecture, and draws from his own Jewish Taiwanese layered identity to create a space that recalls a slower time, and encourages us to think more deeply about the ways we can understand history to inform a better future.

Charlie Dov Schön seeks to visualize the grief and angst so many of us are feeling and holding right now, but that is often invisible and undiscussed, creating a work that is beautiful, deep, and is engaging community and teens in the process.

Sarah Meyers Brent reminds us that climate action can, and needs, to happen on our very own small scales and that we need to consider the impact of the “stuff” we acquire.

Caron Tabb is an Israeli-American artist has said enough is enough, we can’t have a 400% rise in incidents of American antisemitism since October 7 and not speak up for the Jewish people.

L’Merchie Frazier has created anti-racist art work for many years, and through this tzedakah lens she encourages us to search our own souls, to look at our own reflections to consider what we believe deeply, why, and how we can search our own souls to better understand others.

Jordan Hendrickson doesn’t want to demonize the criminal justice system for its long-standing inequitable treatment of people of color, but seeks to identify ways in which we can support positive change in our communities and policing practices to create a less combative world.

In this tense political and social moment, these artists remind us of the opportunities the arts present to view the world differently and open a space for critical thinking and connection, encouraging us to reflect and take a moment to consider how we might be agents of change, even on a small scale.

To follow the work of these artivists and to learn more about ways you can be an agent of change, follow Be the Change online. Be the Change Boston 2024 opens August 1^st in the Fenway neighborhood. Be the Change Orange County is on view, extended through Summer 2024.