WASHINGTON, D.C. — With only four weeks left before Election Day on November 5, People For the American Way’s Artists For Democracy launched a billboard campaign in five battleground states — Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — using powerful, original images from more than a dozen world-renowned artists.
View Images here: Art files (billboards)
The billboard images are part of a GOTV campaign to defeat Donald Trump by inspiring and mobilizing eligible voters to cast their votes. In addition to billboards and other outdoor advertising, the campaign includes art-themed events, art sales and auctions, custom-made merchandise, radio and digital ads, celebrity engagement, and mass engagement through social media.
Participating artists include Artists for Democracy co-chairs Shepard Fairey and Carrie Mae Weems, as well as Amalia Mesa-Bains, Victoria Cassinova, Michael Dixon, Deborah Kass, Christine Sun Kim, Beverly McIver, Debbie Millman, Angelica Muro, Cleon Peterson, John Mavroudis, Deborah Kass, Hank Willis Thomas and Alyson Shotz.
“Art is a powerful engine for change in social and political movements,” said People For the American Way Director of Campaigns Rio Tazewell. “Billboards, street art, and other mediums for visual art leave impressions and move people to action in a way that conventional political messaging cannot. Through this campaign, we seek to inspire as many people as possible to fully participate in the 2024 election and beyond.”
“We have less than a month before the historic November 5 elections, and participating artists will be a part of getting out the vote with images that stir deep emotions and inspire voters to take action,” said People For the American Way President Svante Myrick. “Legendary TV producer Norman Lear founded People For the American Way to spark political activism through arts and entertainment, and since 1981, we’ve worked with dozens of visual artists and Hollywood celebrities to champion causes and give voice to the issues that deeply concern everyday people.”
To date, this campaign has included a six-figure Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of the billboards and to engage in an organization-wide campaign that includes, on-the-ground activations, targeted digital ads, wheat-pasting in Chicago, community events, and other art-related activities nationwide. Artists For Democracy will continue through November 5, with events and activities including the release of visual prints, more digital ads, local and national press outreach.
Billboard Locations:
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Arizona
- North Carolina
Participating/featured artists:
- Shepard Fairey
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Beverly McIver
- Alyson Shotz
- Victoria Cassinova
- Deborah Kass
- Amalia Mesa-Bains
- Angelica Muro
- Debbie Millman
- Michael Dixon
- Cleon Peterson
- Christine Sun Kim
- John Mavroudis
View Images here: Art files (billboards)
About Us People For the American Way is a national progressive advocacy organization that inspires and mobilizes Americans to defend freedom, justice, and democracy from those who threaten to take them away. For more than four decades, we have been dedicated to making the promise of America real for everyone and have worked toward a vision of a vibrant America where basic rights and freedoms are upheld for all, not just the wealthy and the powerful. Learn more: http://www.peoplefor.org