In Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

The Department of Art & Art History at the University of Colorado Boulder stands in solidarity with Black Americans and the Black Lives Matter movement. We are infuriated by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, David McAtee, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. We demand justice for the family of George Floyd and all families who have lost loved ones to racist police violence. We support the ongoing demonstrations, marches and rallies which are a cornerstone of our Constitution. We decry the ongoing brutality against peaceful protestors by law enforcement. Our commitment to the well-being and safety of our students is now greater than ever. Through these turbulent but necessary times, we are learning to listen. 

• We vow to create an inclusive and accessible platform that will amplify historically silenced voices.
• We acknowledge that our education system is fraught with inherent biases. There is much unlearning to do. We vow to readily accept criticism for this reason.
• We will be self-critical and implement measures that ensure a safe, fair and equitable learning environment.

We accept our responsibility to vehemently oppose white supremacy and racism in all forms and commit to abolish the systemic racism found within academia and the arts. The recent demonstrations and protests across the country and world provide the opportunity for deep change to begin. Institutional and systemic racism across all sectors can no longer be tolerated. This moment is long overdue. There is much work to be done. As a first step, we will explore the following initiatives.

• Increase course offerings and access to course materials that highlight diverse perspectives and populations
• Develop scholarships for students of color
• Intercultural competency training for faculty, staff, and students
• Support student initiated activities that invite participation from Black American students and students of color
• Reimagine our visiting artists and scholar programs to focus on social justice and inclusion
• Actively participate in the recruitment and retention of Black American students and students of color

Art & Art History Anti-racism Resources

In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”