Rooted in the deep traditions of the arts as a powerful means for social change, Arts as Civic Engagement is a platform for students to immerse in arts-based community engagement.
In its second year, the program will support three students in a Civic and Community Arts Residency at regional arts organizations. Participants receive a $5,000 stipend in lieu of summer earnings and work as embedded staff members at partner organizations.
Rob (Kendall) Hall, Class of 2021
Major: Design, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Rob is our 2019 resident with The Griot Museum of Black History and Culture. Rob will work directly with the Museum’s Founder and Director, Lois Conley, and staff on the community engagement components of upcoming exhibitions, Juneteenth events, capacity and constituent building, and strategic planning initiatives. For 22 years, the Griot has presented exhibitions and programs that tell important stories about parts of St. Louis history, heritage, and culture that have often been overlooked.
Efua Osei, Class of 2021
Major: African American Studies and Political Science, College of Arts & Sciences; Minor: Design, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
Hometown: Dover, Delaware
Efua is our 2019 resident with The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. Efua will work directly with the Festival’s director, Tom Ridgely, and staff on Shakespeare in the Streets in their multi-year story-telling collaboration between students in the rural Illinois Brussels School District and the north St. Louis Normandy School Collaborative. This culminates in a new play performed in those communities and a short film.
Claire Wiley, Class of 2020
Major: Architecture, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts; Minor: Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
Claire is our 2019 resident with the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM). Claire will work directly with Alex Elmestad, Director of the Learning and Engagement Department, and other staff on a CAM artist’s project to bridge relationships between the artist, the community, and the Museum. Claire will build on the long-term neighborhood engagement strategy “1-Mile Radius Initiative,” as well as with artist Eric Ellingsen’s “Walkshops.”
Learn more about the Arts as Civic Engagement program here.