Rutgers-Newark undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff speaking to the public about Washington’s Next! on October 13, 2018. (Image Credit: Katherine Long)
Want to Share the Stories of Enslaved Black People with Tens of Thousands of New Yorkers?
Washington’s Next! is a large-scale, participatory commemoration of nearly 300 of the people of African descent who were enslaved by our first president, George Washington.
It draws attention to the way that our society puts enslavers and others who have committed horrible crimes up on pedestals—while ignoring the people who they harmed, and upon whose labor they built their own success and wealth. For more about the project, see the “About” page.
Washington’s Next! takes place in Union Square Park in New York City, in front of a statue of George Washington. It was first mounted on October 13, 2018, as part of the “Art in Odd Places” festival—images available here.
Now, thanks to funding from the Cultural Programming Fund, The Museum On Site (directed by Professor Lyra Monteiro) is recruiting Rutgers-Newark students to re-mount the project in the same location (date TBA).
This volunteer opportunity is ideal for students in African American and African Studies; History; Arts, Culture & Media; English; American Studies; Public Policy; Sociology; as well as anyone who feels a connection to this story, or who is interested in the ways in which public art and public history can engage the everyday people in a vibrant public space. Your costs associated with the project (transportation, materials, refreshments, childcare, etc.) will be paid for by the grant.
Sign up below to learn more about how you can participate in this unique and important project. You can also contact washingtonsnext@gmail.com with any questions.