Where Art Meets Action, The Shape of Democracy
In June, 2026, I organized a panel discussion, Where Art Meets Action: The Shape of Democracy, in conjunction with the 2026 Open Call exhibition, Democracy: United We Stand, for the Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art, Rodeph Shalom, that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States and explores the vital role of civic participation in sustaining democracy. As I reflected on the exhibition, I was struck by its connection to the suffrage movement, something I had researched with fellow congregants in 2020, and the struggle that led to the 19th Amendment. The suffragists organized and advocated for voting rights—and used art, imagery, design, and public expression to inspire action and shape public opinion. Bringing these two projects, Art and Suffrage together offered an opportunity to explore the legacy of the suffrage movement and consider its relevance today. At a time when voting rights, free speech, and civic engagement continue to be debated and challenged, the suffragists remind us that democracy is strongest when every voice can be heard, and that art can be a vital tool. By connecting both history and art, I found can deepen understanding, build common ground, strengthen community, and foster meaningful civic dialogue.