Do you consider yourself an artist? What about an activist? For some, either or both of these titles may seem intimidating. They may feel reserved for individuals like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., someone whose efforts helped shape entire social justice movements. However, we believe seemingly small moments—like making a card for a first responder or having a conversation with your family about contemporary issues—can have a significant impact.
Alongside educating community members about King’s critical social justice work, we strive to empower individuals to think of themselves as positive change makers. People whose creative expression and advocacy work matters, and is meaningful to building a better world.
Change can start with us and is magnified when we work together. Consequently, the final art piece strives to display the unique creativity of individuals while serving as a visual representation of the diversity of our wider community and importance of collective action.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to feel like you can make a difference. In response, the we want to remind people that they are not alone, that there are many ways that they can continue to be involved in their communities, and that how they are taking care of themselves and others is important.
Project Overview
The MLK Community Art Project includes three major components: education, individual creative expression and collective action. The project will educate community members about King’s personal biography and philosophy, the Civil Rights Movement and its historical context, along with contemporary advocacy and engagement strategies. Participants will then be able to reflect on what they’ve learned through a series of artist prompts. Artist prompts are encouraged to be interpreted broadly, and will offer a starting point for individual creative submissions.
These creative works will be collected and displayed as a final collective art piece. Our goal is 500 submissions and you are welcome to submit as many times as you would like!
Artist Prompts
MLK used his own lived experiences to help others. How has your life shaped how you see the world?
Connect what you’ve learned about the Civil Rights Movement to today. What has emerged, changed, or stayed the same?
After learning about MLK’s personal philosophy, what’s your vision for a better future?
When you think of Dr. King what comes to mind?
Artist prompts will help you reflect on what you’ve learned, and think critically about how these topics relate to social justice, equity, and activism. You are encouraged to use them as starting points for your individual creative submissions and to interpret them broadly.
You are welcome to use a variety of media (including paints, markers, textiles, etc.) and take inspiration from different modes of creative expression (including cartoons, photography, abstract art, portraits, etc.). Written submissions like poems, song lyrics, or notes from your conversations with family and friends are also accepted. We also encourage three dimensional, interactive, or performing art pieces to be captured in some way, so they can be included in the project. Community members regardless of age and perceived skill level are highly encouraged to submit their works.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with a standard 8.5" by 11" inch sheet of paper and see where your inspiration takes you! You will not be limited by the number of creative works you can submit.
Submission Instructions
Creative submissions will be accepted from January 13th to January 20th, 2021. There is not a limit on the number of submissions per person, and collaborations are also welcome. Submissions are accepted through email, social media, mail, and physical drop off at specified community sites.
Participants may email their submissions to MLK@communitiesfirstinc.org or submit their works on social media by tagging @communitiesfirstinc and using #CFIMLK. However, for either of these methods please try to scan the submission or take a clear photo in bright lighting with all of the edges of the creative work in the frame. Submissions may also be mailed directly to Communities First, Inc. at: 415 W. Court St. Flint, MI 48503
Creative submissions may be dropped off at the Flint Public Library at: Courtland Center 4190 E Court St, Burton, MI 48509. While the library has the same hours of operation, please be advised that the library is only offering 15-minute lobby service. To turn in your submission please ask a library attendant about the drop-off box for the MLK Community Art Project. If dropping off a creative submission at a community drop off site, please follow the appropriate COVID-19 procedures.
Along with your creative submission please include a completed contact and artist release form. These will allow us to recognize you for your contributions, be able to put you into a raffle for fun prizes, and publicly display your work in our collective art piece.
Educational Materials
To help you learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we’ve included two educational resources. As a reminder, they review King’s personal biography and philosophy, the Civil Rights Movement and its historical context, along with contemporary advocacy and engagement strategies. Complementary materials are available through a video presentation and a printable informational packet.
Click here to view our Educational Video
Click here for the Educational Packet with Contact and Artist Release Form
Please make sure to include a completed contact and artist release form along with your submission. This form allows us to include your creative work in the final collective art piece. Without this form, we will be unable to display your work. It can be found on page 15 of the educational packet.
Click here for the Online Contact and Artist Release Form
For those who will be picking up artist kits or dropping of creative submissions at one of our community sites, please follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines prior to doing so. They can be found on page 16 of the educational packet.
Special Thank You
Thank you for your interest and your participation in the MLK Community Art Project. We would be unable to do this work without your creative submissions.
Thank you to Emily Temple, Cynthia McCreary, Octavia Edwards, Robin Coleman, and Jackie Stacy for helping to put together the above educational materials. Additionally, thank you to Michigan Community Service Commission, Flint Public Library and our other organizational partners who have helped with this amazing project.