Artists nationwide participated in "Fall of Freedom" events on Friday and Saturday, described by organizers as an initiative for creative expression. Over 600 events occurred across more than 40 U.S. states, from Alaska to Florida.
Organizer Statements and Context
Eric Gottesman, a visual artist based in Washington, D.C., and co-executive director of For Freedoms, an arts organization, stated that artists and cultural institutions were experiencing apprehension. This sentiment was reported following reductions in grants at the National Endowment for the Arts, staff dismissals at the Kennedy Center, and a presidential executive order mandating an audit of Smithsonian museums. A social media post by the President in August referred to museums across the country as "the last remaining segment of WOKE."
Gottesman further indicated that large cultural institutions appeared to be constrained by concerns over potential suppression and retribution for ideas perceived as critical of democratic principles. He suggested this limited their capacity to support artists, creating a void that "Fall of Freedom" aims to address.
Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and one of the event's organizers, reported observing cultural institutions declining to program work that might be perceived as controversial or politically misaligned. She stated that museums expressed fear of government retribution, leading to programming decisions influenced by potential grant or donor losses. This, according to Nottage, has resulted in canceled exhibitions and unprogrammed plays, affecting artists' opportunities.
Visual artist Dread Scott, who initiated the concept, designed "Fall of Freedom" as an open-ended framework for artists to express their perspectives. Scott stated the initiative aims to shift the dynamic from individual institutions attempting to ensure their survival under perceived pressures, encouraging collective action instead. He highlighted historical instances of art functioning as a catalyst in social and political movements, citing examples like Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and Picasso's "Guernica."
Event Scope and Participants
The rapid organization of "Fall of Freedom" was noted by Chicago-based artist and activist Jenny Kendler, who emphasized the need for prompt responses to current circumstances.
Notable participants included musician John Legend, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, choreographer Bill T. Jones, and author Ann Patchett. Community-level activities included zine making in Homer, Alaska; a performance of Les Misérables in Portland, Maine; and a dance party in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Moscow Contemporary in Moscow, Idaho, a city of approximately 27,000 residents, hosted a two-day program featuring a roundtable discussion on civil disobedience and an open mic night.
Roger Rowley, executive director of Moscow Contemporary, characterized the initiative as the beginning of a creative movement. He suggested the term "fall" in "Fall of Freedom" could denote a decline, or alternatively, a cyclical season, indicating a prolonged period of effort leading to future outcomes.