Welcome to the world of transformative storytelling through art and culture. In this article, we delve into the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project, a groundbreaking initiative that is reshaping America's commemorative landscape. With an unprecedented investment of $500 million, the Monuments Project aims to ensure a more complete and accurate representation of our collective history. Join us as we explore the project's goals, its impact on our communities, and the power of art to shape a more just and inclusive future.
The Urgency of Transforming Our Commemorative Landscape
Discover why the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project is a timely and critical initiative in our nation's history.
As our society grapples with the increasing censorship and erasure of knowledge, the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project emerges as a beacon of hope. With a commitment of $500 million, this project aims to transform our commemorative landscape and ensure a more accurate representation of our collective history.
Book banning and the criminalization of knowledge have become prevalent in schools, universities, and libraries across the country. In this context, the Monuments Project's expanded investment comes at a critical time, emphasizing the power of arts, culture, and humanities to create more just communities.
Unveiling the Monuments Project
Explore the goals and scope of the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project and its commitment to inclusive storytelling.
The Monuments Project, launched in 2020 with a $250 million commitment, has already made significant strides in reshaping our commemorative landscape. With over $170 million in funding for 80 projects, it has supported initiatives that memorialize lesser-known events, preserve historical sites, and foster more representative participation in the creation of our nation's commemorative spaces.
One of the project's key goals is to address the disproportionate veneration of a limited few, mostly white and male figures, in our commemorative landscape. Through a comprehensive National Monument Audit, conducted in partnership with Monument Lab, the project aims to bring attention to overlooked individuals who have profoundly shaped our society but have been denied historical recognition.
Highlighting Transformative Projects
Dive into some of the notable projects supported by the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (Washington, DC)
The Bureau of Indian Affairs will receive Mellon funding to establish an oral history project as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. This groundbreaking endeavor will collect oral histories from Indigenous survivors of the Federal Indian boarding school system, memorializing their experiences and the government's role in establishing the system.
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument (Tallahatchie, MS and Chicago, IL)
Mellon's substantial support has contributed to the interpretation and commemoration of Emmett Till's life and legacy. Collaborations with organizations like the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Park Foundation have led to the creation of new commemorative sites in Tallahatchie County, MS, and Chicago, IL.
The Great Wall of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
Through Mellon funding, the Social and Public Art Resource Center is preserving and expanding artist Judy Baca's Great Wall of Los Angeles. This monumental mural celebrates interracial harmony and civic engagement, serving as a powerful symbol of unity.
Empowering Communities Through Art
Learn how the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project is fostering community engagement and empowering marginalized voices.
The Monuments Project goes beyond physical installations, actively engaging communities in the creation and interpretation of commemorative spaces. By amplifying marginalized voices and involving local artists and organizations, the project ensures a more inclusive and representative commemorative landscape.
Through initiatives like the Kinfolk Augmented Reality Monuments app and the Monumental Perspectives collaboration between LACMA and Snap Inc., the project embraces technology and innovative approaches to storytelling, making art accessible to a wider audience.
Shaping a More Just Future
Discover how the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project is shifting the power dynamics in shaping our present and future.
The Monuments Project is not just about reimagining our commemorative landscape; it is about reshaping the narratives that shape our understanding of history and society. By challenging existing power structures and amplifying underrepresented voices, the project paves the way for a more just and equitable future.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Trust for the National Mall and the Washington National Cathedral, the project is actively transforming public spaces and challenging the narratives associated with confederate leaders, replacing them with symbols of racial justice and unity.
