Art the Vote

1 Big Canvas 8 artists with issues

Art the Vote is a nonpartisan, arts-driven effort to engage, register and mobilize young voters and the creative
community in the political process prior to the
November 2008 election.

Using contemporary artists' original works on billboards throughout the state of Missouri, from early September to early November 2008, Art the Vote hopes to elevate the importance of registering and voting in the November election.

Art the Vote was launched by a committee of artists and arts supporters in January of 2008. It is a Missouri-based unprecedented effort. Using original art, Art the Vote will build awareness through its billboard campaign and take action through voter registration efforts targeting young voters and members of the creative community.

Frequently Asked Questions (click to expand)

  • What is Art the Vote?

    Art the Vote (ATV) is a grass roots effort to energize, motivate and turn out voters this November using the work of contemporary artists highlighting contemporary issues as its catalyst. ATV centers on art, awareness and action. Artists will create original billboard artwork. Billboards and ATV events will promote voter registration and ultimately action when voters vote on Election Day.

  • What's the Missouri Billboard Project?

    Art the Vote is an initiative of the Missouri Billboard Project, a political organization registered with the I.R.S. and organized to encourage likely and potential voters to vote by supporting the creation of art that draws attention to public policy issues.

  • How did it start?

    A small group of Missouri artists and arts supporters, who wanted to make a difference in the November election, initiated Art the Vote. The organic, grass-roots effort began with the idea of using artists to communicate the importance of current issues and voting. Initial meetings began in January of 2008 and on May 28 Art the Vote was officially launched, complete with billboards, a website, a logo, voter registration efforts and a public billboard artist contest.

  • Who's organizing ATV?

    Art the vote is led by a committee of artists and arts supporters and is dependent on a vast network of talented, committed and generous volunteers with great energy and a desire to engage the public in the November 2008 election.

  • How can I get involved?

    Join the Art the Vote movement! We are looking for volunteers and donors.

  • Why Billboards?

    Billboards are the perfect public canvas for visual artists. There is a history of contemporary public art billboard projects. Billboards allowed the project to be a statewide initiative and were an affordable medium.

  • When can I see the billboards?

    The billboards will begin appearing on Missouri highways and roads on or around September 1, 2008. They will remain up until on or around November 1, 2008.

  • Where can I see a billboard?

    Seventy plus billboards will feature ATV artwork throughout the state of Missouri. Look for billboards in St. Louis, Kansas City, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Hannibal, Columbia, Kirksville, as well as on many highways across the state. Go to billboard locations for more information.

  • Who are the billboard artists?

    Tom Huck, Peregrine Honig, May Tveit, Martha Rosler, Mark Newport, Annette Lemeiux and Willie Cole are the nationally renowned billboard artists participating in the project. They will be joined by the winner of the ATV billboard contest.

  • What's Purple Friday?

    Mark your calendar for September 5, 2008. That's the day when the billboards will be unveiled throughout the state with Purple Friday events in St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia. Go to events for more details.

  • What's the Missouri Madness Voter Registration Marathon?

    On October 7, 2008 ATV will hold voter registration marathons in St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City. Visit the events page for more details. The last day to register to vote in Missouri is October 8. And, don't forget, Election Day is November 4, 2008.

  • How is Art the Vote funded?

    Art the Vote is funded through private contributions or gifts to the Missouri Billboard Project. These contributions are not tax deductible.

About Art the Vote:

Billboard artists:

STEERING COMMITTEE:

  • Jane Birdsall Lander
  • Emily Blumenfeld
  • Bunny Burson
  • Matt Coen
  • Susan E. Cahan
  • Bekki Cook
  • Paul Ha
  • Athalia Howell
  • Sue McCollum
  • Mary McElwain
  • Meridith McKinley
  • Jen Meyer
  • Colleen Millstone
  • Susan Sherman
  • Maryanne Ellison Simmons
  • Eric Thoelke
  • Kellie Trivers
  • Elizabeth Tucker
  • Roseann Weiss

Art the Vote is an initiative of the Missouri Billboard Project, a political organization registered with the I.R.S. and organized to encourage likely and potential voters to vote by supporting creation of art that draws attention to public policy issues.

artthevote.com and the art the vote identity was designed and developed by: TOKY Branding + Design

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