A People´s Art History: Art and Social Change in the United States

What role has art played in the fight for justice? More than portraiture or landscapes, art has long been a weapon, a rallying cry, and a form of community building — and this course tells that story.

Over eight sessions, we’ll trace an alternative history of American art: one that centers artist activists, outsiders, and visionaries rather than galleries and art markets. From anti-slavery imagery and labor movements to civil rights, feminism, AIDS activism, and today’s community-based art practices, we’ll explore how artists have challenged power, imagined change, and given movements their visual voice.

No previous knowledge of art history is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to look closely and think critically.

Drawing on two landmark books — Nicolas Lampert’s A People’s Art History of the United States and Tom Finkelpearl’s What We Made: Conversations on Art and Social Cooperation — each session combines discussion, visual analysis, and collaborative activities.