The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) recently played host to the riveting “Necessity of Tomorrow(s)” event – a conversation series masterfully dedicated to art, race, social justice, and envisions of future we want to build. At the heart of the initiative is the understanding and acknowledgment of the seismic role creative speculation plays in mapping out the future paths that humanity trails. Amidst an era steeped in uncertainty and crisis, the event reinforced the need to foster a healthy arts ecosystem in Baltimore.

Spotlight on Galleries and Collectives

The featured galleries and collectives were as diverse as they were inspiring. They ranged from ‘as they lay’ to ‘The Gallery About Nothing’. Other notables included the Black Arts District, Catalyst Contemporary, Connect+Collect, and Creative Alliance, among many others. These broad-ranging collectives serve to underline the profound influence art can harness within various cultural niches and the immense potential it carries to broach and tackle delicate social conversations.

Engaging Conversations, Imagining Future(s)

One of the most thought-provoking evenings came on October 22, 2020, where the ‘Me Too’ movement’s founder, Tarana Burke, engaged in an enlightening conversation with conceptual artist and political activist, Nadya Tolokonnikova. Moderated by Jenna Wortham from The New York Times Magazine and the Still Processing podcast, the discussion was enriched with a Q&A session and video works. The discourse was live-streamed and openly accessible, emphasizing the museum’s commitment to embracing and promoting inclusivity.

An Insight into the Speakers

Bronx native, Tarana Burke has made her mark as a social activist and is the revered architect of the ‘me too’ movement, which works tirelessly to raise awareness on the grave matters of sexual violence and offers survivors hope. From racial discrimination to housing and economic justice, Burke’s work has covered multiple fronts since she began her journey. Her creations have reached massive acclaim on global platforms, including being recognized as Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2017.

Nadya Tolokonnikova

As a political activist and conceptual artist from Russia, Nadya Tolokonnikova is a founding member of the art collective Pussy Riot. Her work and advocacy for feminism, LGBT rights, and calling out human rights violations have brought her international acclaim. An exemplar of artistic courage, her audacious performance at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour drew international headlines, yet it also led to her imprisonment.

Jenna Wortham

Jenna Wortham wears many hats as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, podcast co-host for Still Processing, and a sound healer, reiki practitioner, and herbalist to name a few. She is embedded in the community-care work domain, with a lens always focused towards healing justice and liberation.

In conclusion

The Baltimore Museum of Art and its compelling event “The Necessity of Tomorrow(s)” prompts us to consider and appreciate how art can be a potent medium for promoting social justice. The event not only offers crucial dialogues surrounding art and activism but also represents the Museum’s commitment to fostering an empowering environment for the manifestation of such conversations. Acknowledging the catalytic power of creativity, they propel audiences towards a tomorrow that is both necessary and hopeful.