Far South/Border North has a new interactive map to better locate art and culture campaigns that are part of the city of San Diego program.
The website, searchable by zip code, now has detailed information about each of the more than 70 projects funded in the program, including:
- I Am San Diego: by Cat Chiu Phillips, using student artwork to raise awareness of San Diego’s diversity and underrepresented youth.
- Connected Voces: by Media Arts Center San Diego, collaborating with lead artist Amada Torruella and supporting artists Edwin Cruz, Melissa Franco and Seth Gadsden to use multimedia formats to highlight how COVID-19 affected local communities and youth.
- Cuéntame: using art to connect and tell the stories of elders in senior housing in the transborder community.
- Pioneering Justice: by the Imperial County Historical Society Pioneers’ Museum, with lead artist Marcie Landeros and various supporting artists, telling the stories of local historical figures through quilt-making.
In California, Arts, Culture & Creativity Month in April is a time to recognize the value of the arts in our cities and regions.
“Far South/Border North is a perfect example of how the arts can help raise awareness of crucial issues, foster grassroots change and allow our communities to thrive,” said Christine E. Jones, chief of civic art strategies with the city.
The $6.15 million Far South/Border North program is funded in part by a $4.75 million California Creative Corps grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support, $1.4 million, made possible by the Conrad Prebys Foundation.
Each creative campaign in Far South/Border North uses multimedia art and culture practices – everything from writing to dance – to spread the word about critical issues, such as COVID-19-related health disparities, climate mitigation, social justice and civic engagement.
Along with about 60 individual artists and cultural practitioners, the program also comprises 18 San Diego County and Imperial County arts, culture and social service organizations.
“Artists and cultural practitioners can play a powerful role in amplifying community voices,” said Jonathon Glus, executive director of city arts and culture programs.
Far South/Border North is recognized as a program within the World Design Capital 2024 Community Program.