In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Art in Embassies program, the United States Embassy in Portugal is hosting iconic American contemporary artists for a series of public events in Lisbon centered on the role of the visual arts in furthering diplomacy. The 3-day program will also showcase a traveling exhibition entitled the “Democracy Collection: Advocacy Through Art,” which speaks to the promotion of democracy throughout the world.
Bios for U.S. and Portuguese artists and speakers: download the PDF.
SCHEDULE
June 5
Private Event: Viewing, Panel & Discussion The Democracy Collection: Advocacy through Art
“The Democracy Collection: Advocacy through Art” will be open to visits from the public between June 6th and July 11th.
Venue: Amelia de Melo Art Gallery, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP)
Palma de Cima, Edifício Reitoria 1649-023 Lisbon
June 6
3-5 PM: Panels with Refreshments followed by free tours of EDP Foundation Tejo Central Galleries
Venue: EDP Foundation (Central Tejo) – Tejo Power Station, Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisbon
Panel 1
Title: Art in The Public Realm: Expanding Audience and Impact
Participants:
Nora Halpern (Moderator)
Leonor Antunes
Sanford Biggers
Nick Cave
Hank Willis Thomas
Pre-register for this panel here.
Panel 2
Title: Art for Change: Addressing Sustainability Through the Visual Arts
Participants:
João Mourão (Moderator)
Fernanda Fragateiro
Maya Lin
Diana Policarpo
Pre-register for this panel here.
June 7
3-5:30 PM: Panels with Refreshments followed by Opening of Paula Rego Exhibit
Venue: Gulbenkian Foundation/Museum
Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisbon
Introductory Remarks from Benjamin Weil, Director of Gulbenkian’s Modern Art Center
Panel 1
Title: Empowering the Individual: Identity and the Artist’s Narrative
Participants:
Ana Botella (Moderator), Co-Director Gulbenkian
Angela Ferreira
Deborah Kass
Christopher Myers
Aliza Nisenbaum
Pre-register for this panel here.
Panel 2
Title: Bringing History Forward: Creating an Inclusive Narrative
Participants:
Joana Cardoso (Moderator)
Nick Cave
Monica de Miranda
Amy Sherald
Dr. Deborah Willis
Pre-register for this panel here.
ART IN EMBASSIES
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies has helped further American diplomacy with its mission of cross-cultural dialogue through the visual arts for nearly six decades. By providing works of art from preeminent American artists for display at U.S. diplomatic facilities around the globe, Art in Embassies helps showcase the culture, history, and values of the United States as seen through the eyes of the American people. The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program in 1953, and President John F. Kennedy formalized it at the U.S. Department of State in 1963.
Today, Art in Embassies engages more than 20,000 participants globally, including artists, museums, galleries, universities, and private collectors. It encompasses over 200 venues in 189 countries. Professional curators and registrars create and ship approximately 60 exhibitions per year, and since 2000, more than 70 permanent collections have been installed in diplomatic facilities throughout the world.
Art in Embassies fosters diplomatic relations within local communities worldwide – in the last decade, more than 100 American artists have traveled to participate in cultural exchanges, collaborating with local artists to produce works now on display in embassies and consulates and engaging in dialogue about their art. Going forward, Art in Embassies will continue to engage, educate, and inspire global audiences, showing how art can transcend national borders and build connections among peoples.
For more information on the Art in Embassies: art.state.gov.
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