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The Minneapolis Institute of Art Collaborates with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to Reimagine the Collection Under the Lens of Racism

Local high school students combine with BIPOC professional community artists to collaborate and use art to visualize the concept of ‘Racism as a Public Health Crisis’

Minneapolis, Minn. (March 6, 2024) – The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has teamed up with Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota (Blue Cross) for a multi-generational project that will seek to bring people together and inspire reflection by addressing and challenging systemic racism through the powerful medium of art. As the program enters its third year, local teens will rethink pieces in the collection through the lens of racism, drawing on their personal experiences. In early May, Mia will display the works in an onsite gallery exhibition.

The two organizations will connect with students from local high schools and professional artists in the community, including Kprecia Ambers, Juan Lucero, Jacob Olson, Akiko Ostlund, Nancy Ariza, and guest facilitator Lissa Karpeh. Twenty-six high school students the Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource (FAIR) School for the Arts, Highland Park Senior High School, Hopkins High School, Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School (PiM), Perpich Arts High School, Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts (SPCPA), Simley High School, and South High School will participate in professional artist-led workshops at the museum focusing on idea generation, materials and technique, individual artmaking, and group collaboration. Together, the group will co-vision, co-develop, and co-create racial and health equity-themed works to be included in a public art exhibition at Mia.

“Mia is excited to team up with the Blue Cross for a third year and work with local artists and teens to share their perspectives on how racism impacts health issues within Minnesota communities,” said Virajita Singh, chief diversity & inclusion officer. “Art holds a unique power, serving as special medium that allows people to engage and see the world from different angles. We are proud this program gives local students a platform to elevate their voices through art by visually communicating how racism impacts health issues.”

At the conclusion of the program, Mia will showcase the student and professional artist works in an onsite exhibition in the museum’s Community Commons Gallery in May. The exhibition will remain on view for several months.

“This collaboration empowers students, giving them a different way to find their voices, engaging in creative storytelling through art,” said Bukata Hayes, chief equity officer and vice president of racial and health equity at Blue Cross. When it comes to challenging topics like historical and contemporary systemic racism and health inequities, art is a powerful tool for sparking conversation, raising awareness, and inspiring society to drive positive change. Elevating the voices and stories from all our communities is essential to change the mainstream narrative on health .”

About Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota

For more than 90 years, Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. Our 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, and from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. General admission to Mia is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee.