FOR FREEDOMS 50 State Initiative Billings
September/October 2018
​Billings, Montana
PARTNERS AND PRESENTERS PAGE
FOR FREEDOMS 50 State Initiative Billings is a collaborative offering of community conversations, art and correlating events which will provide non-partisan forums for action and discussion of values, place, and patriotism as part of the national For Freedoms 50 States Initiative (see below) in advance of the November 2nd mid-term elections. For more information, please contact Artist Director Sherri Cornett via this website's contact page. 
​Supported in part by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, an agency of the State Government.
TOWN HALLS
Native American Race Relations and Healing Series “For Freedoms”
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.,
Billings Public Library
510 N Broadway, Billings, MT
  • Moderator: Russell Rowland, Co-Director of this series and main contact for this event, rowlandrussell@gmail.com.
  • Russell Rowland led a discussion with former Northern Cheyenne Tribal Chairman and current tribal judge John Robinson,  a member of the Kit Fox Warrior Society and veteran of the United States Army as well as a participant at Wounded Knee and the occupation of Alcatraz, and Carolyn Pease-Lopez, who represented District 42 of the Montana State Legislature for four terms, where she serves on the Agriculture, Human Services, Judiciary, and Legislative Administration committees. She was recently instrumental in preventing the passage of House Bill 615, which would have allowed county clerks to refuse to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, on the grounds that this kind of discrimination would spread to the way she and her people are treated as well.She is a native of Crow Agency, 
  • Table discussion leaders included Jade Bahr, Jen Lynn (Ph.D/Women and Gender Studies/MSUBillings) and Sonia Davis (SURJ Billings).
  • We welcomed all voices and points of view in respectful conversation and encouraged questions and active listening as we sought to broaden our understanding of freedom in our community.
  • Topics included: the entrepreneurship, problem solving creativity of native peoples, how tribes are reclaiming their languages, support for their sovereignty, how the Marshall Trilogy set up tribes in dependent status, response to shame can be either anger or humbleness, the need for non-natives to support their sovereignty, seeking out the humanity in others, the effects of generational trauma, tribal colleges ...
  • Inspired by politician’s campaign signage, For Freedoms lawn sign were available for  participants to produce and publicly display their own definition of freedom by filling out signs that say: Freedom Of..., Freedom From..., Freedom For..., and Freedom To…
  • Lawn signs were created to be installed on the Freedom of Speech lawn at MSU Billings during the Free to Be Me: Diversity at MSUB Town Hall, Saturday, September 15th, 2:30 - 4:30, MSUBillings Student Union Building, Rooms A & B
  • Facilitation assisted Sherri Cornett (Artist Director/For Freedoms 50 State Initiative Billings).
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Former State Representative for Crow Agency Carolyn Pease-Lopez
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Northern Cheyenne Tribal Judge John Robinson
"Native participants work to dispel myths, falsehoods as part of "For Freedoms" initiative"
by Mike Ferguson
Billings Gazette, September 16, 2018
Free To Be Me: Diversity at MSUB
Saturday, September 15, 2018  (2:30 – 4:30)
MSUBillings Student Union Building, Rooms A & B (lower floor and east through the cafeteria) and Free Speech Lawn
1500 University Dr, Billings, MT
  • Facilitator: Reverend Dwight Welch/United Campus Ministry, 
  • Community discussion about discoveries made while sharing our stories and identities facilitated by Rev. Dwight R. Welch of United Campus Ministry, and Parsa Hajy Abbasi (student from Iran), Tristen Belgrade (student from Rocky Boy (student from Chippewa-Cree tribe), Morgan Syring (MSUB Art Club Collective), Mitch Bohn (speaking from disabled student perspective), Jen Lynn (MSUB Women's and Gender Studies) and Patricia Vettel-Becker (MSUB Art Department Chair). 
  • Parsa spoke about learning to acknowledge, not oppose, when people misunderstood him because of his language and that he chose to become an ambassador for his culture. Tristen spoke about learning to expect racism, but not to let it stop him from his goals, despite historical efforts to make his people extinct. Morgan grew up in small towns with a single mother who emphasized supportive, civil listening and the importance of accumulating knowledge of others, Mitch told us about how fellow students expected that he must be in special education because he is in a wheelchair, but that accessibility is growing on campus. Patricia and Jen said that, since 2016, there is more intentional inclusivity and efforts to be more vocal for humanity and human rights. Dwight suggested we watch MLK's "What is Your Life's Blueprint" speech to middle school students. 
  • Inspired by politician’s campaign signage, For Freedoms lawn signs were available for  participants to produce and publicly display their own definition of freedom by filling out signs that say: Freedom Of..., Freedom From..., Freedom For..., and Freedom To…
  •  Discussion followed by creation and installation of Freedom signs on the Free Speech Lawn at MSUB
  • Facilitation assisted by Sherri Cornett (Artist/Project Director, for Freedoms 50 State Initiative Billings)
The Dinners Project: Billings Creatives Potluck and Conversations
Thursday, October 4, 2018
First Congregational Church of Billings, Community Room, 310 North 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101
  •  Facilitator: Sherri Cornett, Artist/Curator/Project Director of For Freedoms 50 State Initiative Billings, 
  • Participants: Sharon Forman, Damin Johnson, Phoebe Knapp, Linda Lemire, Tracy Linder, Angel Shandy, Bently Spang, Dixie Yelvington, Yungben Yelvington, Shelly Young
  • In collaboration with Creative Capital, For Freedoms 50 State Initiative, For Freedoms 50 State Initiative Billings and #LoveArmy
  • The goals of the national #DinnersProject are to amplify the efforts of creatives who are spearheading non-partisan civic and social change; build and strengthen relationships; have engaging and inspiring conversations and spark new projects and collaborations, all while breaking bread together.
  • Creatives in Billings gathered to share their thoughts and ideas about: What art-based activities are being used or could be used to enhance our community? To support important issues in our community? What would those issues be? What do artists need in our community to thrive? To stay connected? What communities are you part of? How could we connect them?

​ART
Artwalk Downtown Billings
October 5, 2018 
Pocket Park on south side of First Congregational Church (corner of 310 N. 27th and 3rd)
  • The Freedom Lawn Signs created at our town hall events and the What Freedom Means banner created by MSUB's Art Club Collective will be on display
Freedom Lawn Signs
  • Facilitator: Sherri Cornett, Curator/Artist sherri@sherricornett.com
  • Inspired by politician’s campaign signage, For Freedoms lawn sign activations encourage participants to produce and publicly display their own definition of freedom by filling out signs that say: Freedom Of..., Freedom From..., Freedom For..., and Freedom To…
  • ​Signs will be available during both events above for participants to draw/write on.
  • Signs will be installed on the Free Speech Lawn of the MSU Billings campus as part the end of the Free To Be Me: Diversity on Campus
What Freedom Means Banner Project
Club Art Collective of MSU Billings
  • Facilitator: Angel Shandy, President, Club Art Collective, angelmshandy@gmail.com
  • Club Art Collective members Angel Shandy, Kari Adams, Casey O'Malley, Morgan Syring and Emma Berry will create large canvas murals to install at the two Town Hall events.
RELATED COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mountain Plains Museum Association conference panel “Contemporary Art in its Contexts: What is the Role of the Museum Now?”
Closing Luncheon
Saturday, September 15, 2018, 12 -  1:30 p.m.
  • Moderator, Leanne Gilbertson, PhD, Gallery Director and Asst. Professor of Art, MSU Billings, 
  • Artists: Bently Spang, (Northern Cheyenne) Wendy Red Star (Crow), Patrick Zentz, Tyson Middle
  • A moderated discussion about contemporary art and its relationship to placemaking and community building in the region. The work of each of these artists presents unique challenges to museum curators—how do public art installations, video and electronic works, multi-media dance performance, and graffiti art challenge and expand the role of the museum in today’s cultural landscape? The innovative and challenging works of these four artists intersects, recasts, and confronts many of the traditional roles of our regional cultural institutions. How might the museums of today accommodate the flow of relevant new ideas that fall outside of conventional norms mediated by the art market?
 
Western Heritage Center High Noon Lecture 
"The Victims of the Third Degree: Billings' Pre-Sedition Climate"
September 20, 2018, noon
Western Heritage Center
2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MT
Sponsored by: Dave & Lynda Ballard
  • “On the evening of November 9, 1917, Billings’ newly formed Third Degree Committee accused three citizens of pro-German sympathies. They forced the resignation of a city council member, a state renowned architect, and required a south side butcher to restate his oath to the United States.  None of these men had prior criminal charges or incidents in Billings, so how did these charges come about? In this presentation, we’ll analyze the events surrounding this night and look at how Billings was not immune to fears of German infiltration.”

Western Heritage Center Hoof-it with a Historian 
"The Southsiders" 
October 12, 2018, 10 a.m.
Western Heritage Center
2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MTExplore the rich history of the south side! On this tour, we’ll look at the remnants of Billings’ railroad beginnings, see the influence of the sugar beet factory and learn about the role of South Park in our community. This tour begins South Side Senior Center - 901 S. 30th Street. Call if you need directions.
  • Note:  The South Side has been the home to many of Billing’s under-represented communities
Dia de los Muertos: A Cultural Legacy, Past, Present, and Future
​Presentation and Conversation at Northcutt Steele Gallery at Montana State University Billings
October 18, 2018, 5-8 p.m.
Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University Billings
Liberal Arts Building
1500 University Dr, Billings, MT
Facebook Invitation
  • Betty Avila, Co-Director of Self Help Graphics, Los Angeles, will discuss the Dia de los Muertos: A Cultural Legacy, Past, Present, and Future exhibition. Betty Avila is a native Angelano whose work has centered on the intersection of arts and social justice, with particular focus on community building, public space, and youth empowerments. A moderated conversation with members of the local Hispanic community, arts leaders, and MSUB students will follow.
  • The presentation explores the mix of sacred indigenous tradition, Catholic influences, and pop culture in Day of the Dead imagery. Given recent popular attention to the celebration and regional debates regarding cultural appropriation, the evening offers a forum for campus and community to consider the celebration’s contemporary relevance for various audiences.

Dia de los Muertos: A Cultural Legacy, Past, Present, and Future Exhibition 
Northcutt Steele Gallery at Montana State University
October 18 – November 15, 2018
Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University Billings
Liberal Arts Building
1500 University Dr, Billings, MT
  • Leanne Gilbertson, PhD, Gallery Director and Asst. Professor of Art, MSU Billings, leanne.gilbertson@msubillings.edu
  • Originated at Self Help Graphics in Los Angeles, this exhibition brings historical contextualization to the celebration and offers a forum to consider regional debates regarding cultural appropriation.
  • The exhibition not only shares and contextualizes the cultural form of Día de los Muertos with the Billings community, but also introduces audiences to a successful community art and arts education project that has continued to evolve over 50 years in response to community needs and a changing climate related to diversity issues. SHG is a model community-based grassroots project that is noted for inspiring, training, and creating a supportive community for generations of Chicano artists. It continues to evolve as a community arts-based project offering innovative programming that links youth (including at risk youth) and adults with arts and culture and local artists and institutions. 
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ABOUT FOR FREEDOMS
For Freedoms started in 2016 as a platform for civic engagement, discourse, and direct action for artists in the United States. Inspired by Norman Rockwell’s 1943 paintings of the four universal freedoms articulated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1941—freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear—For Freedoms seeks to use art to deepen public discussions of civic issues and core values, and to clarify that citizenship in American society is deepened by participation, not by ideology. For Freedoms is part of a rich history of artists employing means of mass communication to provoke political discourse. For Freedoms believes art, and artists, play an important role in galvanizing our society towards a more representative and transparent government.

MISSION
For Freedoms believes citizenship is defined by participation, not by ideology. For Freedoms believes art can be a vehicle that broadens participation and deepens public discussions of civic issues and core values. For Freedoms is a hub for other artists and arts institutions who want to be more engaged in public life.

​VALUES
  • We are open to contradiction. Complex and complicated. We can't be defined by any current standard definition, i.e. liberal, progressive but are about embracing the value of perspective and how we can learn from our seeming differences.
  • For Freedoms is a bridge, a partner. There is room for every voice at the table.
  • We are forward-thinking. We push boundaries and transform.
  • We activate, inspire, and challenge.
  • Our work is ever-evolving. We are always in movement, never staying still.
  • WE ARE THE MULTIPLICITY. We allow things to be chaotic, entropic. Serendipity and randomness are important to us. Disorder—when harnessed correctly—can be representative of a collective, harmonious sense of communal difference (and acceptance). We look for opportunities to celebrate dynamic and multidirectional energy.

How is For Freedoms funded?
  • For Freedoms Federation is a sponsored project of Artadia, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions to For Freedoms are tax-deductible and support educational programs, exhibitions, and partnerships with museums and other not for profit organizations. For Freedoms Federation is supported by The Bromley Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kickstarter, Muriel Pollia Foundation, Openbox, quiet, Rutter Family Art Fund, Sawyer Family Fund, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Unbound Philanthropies, VIA Art Fund, Westridge Foundation, The For Freedoms Advisory Committee, and many generous individuals.

ForFreedoms.org
For Freedoms on Facebook
For Freedoms on Twitter @for_freedoms
For Freedoms on Instagram @forfreedoms
Hashtags: #FF50 #weareforfreedoms #50stateinitiative #forfreedoms 
"Fifty billboards: an art project hopes to provoke debate across America",  by Nadja Sayej, The Guardian, July 9, 2018
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO MADE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE THROUGH DONATIONS, SUPPLIES AND DISCOUNTS!
Billings Times Printing and Publishing, Patricia Vettel-Becker, Terri Porta and Pete Tolton.
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​Supported in part by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, an agency of the State Government.