Arts in Context

The arts create community. At Mason, artistic vision sparks global conversation.

Two new series,  Kritikos and Global Arts Coffeehouse, bring Mason artists, scholars and neighbors into conversation about artistic work on the global scene as well as a thoughtful approach to the arts. 

Please see the calendar for a list of current events. Check back for updates throughout the year.

These events are free and open to the public.

Kritikos engages topics such as writing about the arts, critical studies, translation, the artist in society, and art as speech.

Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

James Baldwin

Fridays, 1-2:30 pm, from June 26-August 14, 2020

Dear Members of the CVPA Community:

Inspired by recent mass actions and worldwide protests demanding racial justice, CVPA’s Arts in Context has started the Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group, moderated by Mason faculty members Jessica Kallista and Kristin Johnsen-Neshati, with help from co-organizers, Aishah-Nyeta Brown, Natalie Ledesma, Sang Nam, and Aries Wilson.

Members of the CVPA community will meet in Summer 2020 for 90-minute sessions once a week, but with a goal of long-term commitment to relationship building, awareness, reimagining, and action, around anti-racist practices, racial justice, and the creation of conversations as well as systems of compassion and healing. We will focus on anti-black racism and its effects on society. 

Grounded in the knowledge that it is not a question of whether we are racist, but rather how racism is expressed and experienced in ourselves, our lives, our behaviors, and our institutions, we will explore books, music, art, essays, podcasts, and documentaries that allow us to critically question and consider our roles as artists, thinkers, citizens, and creatives in a society founded on racist values and practices.

All are welcome. If you are currently benefiting from the existing racist system, we ask only that you arrive

1. ready to learn or expand your understanding of the role you play in sustaining the existing system, and
2. willing to lean into the discomfort necessary to learn how to live in an ever-increasingly anti-racist way.

Every Friday, June 26-August 14, 1-2:30 pm. 

We hope you can join us!
Jessica and Kristin

The Global Arts Coffeehouse centers on the work of international artists, globalization in the arts, and cross-cultural artistic exchange. This series highlights artists with international impact and provides opportunity for Mason students and the community to learn about their work. Each of these events is free and open to the public.