EXHIBITED EXCLUSION

A discussion of the local art scene’s inaccessibility.

Words by Kiran Hubbard

Art by Freddy Toglia

Timeless, sophisticated, beautiful, and unattainable.

Some variation of these adjectives is probably what comes to mind when you consider any acclaimed work of art. Most of us have been taught to view traditionally famous artwork as an ideal of ‘high culture’ beyond our grasp, even if we don’t actually like it.

In general, art education is a luxury. Without resources, it’s basically impossible for artists to practice and sell their work, keeping them from earning any decent amount of money and increasing said resources. Such cycles allow for the gatekeeping of artistic prestige by people who can afford access (and everyone knows how we feel about gatekeeping).

This phenomenon has convinced consumers to associate wealth with talent: we regard classical artwork so highly because the affluence that created it is unreachable, for the majority of people.

Syracuse is not immune to this issue. In 2021, students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at SU expressed their frustrations with the lack of equipment provided by the university. Currently, many VPA and Architecture students have to buy materials out of pocket each semester.

Teresita Paniagua, executive director of cultural engagement at Syracuse University and managing director of La Casita Cultural Center, highlights how the problem extends beyond SU. “There’s not a significant amount of programming focusing on Latino cultures in the region,” says Paniagua. “Families don’t have the resources to provide children with this kind of enrichment. They don’t see cultural representation that they can identify with in a positive way.”

However, there are organizations within SU that are working to address the accessibility gap. The Coalition of Museum and Art Centers unifies institutions dedicated to providing arts education; these include the SU Art Museum, Light Work, Urban Video Project, and the Community Folk Art Center. This collaboration provides significant funding and exposure for its members. Many of the organizations include programs to seek and support upcoming artists, such as the Art Wall Project at the SU Art Museum.

La Casita works to offer invaluable internship opportunities for students. Interns are able to develop their skills and discover their passions in a real-world environment, as well as host free art workshops designed for youth in the community. “These programs are established as a cultural bridge between the Syracuse University Hispanic community and the region,” Paniagua says.

There are many other opportunities on campus for more inclusive and comprehensive arts education. For instance, Bird Library is currently displaying “A Love Supreme: Black Cultural Expression and Political Activism of the 1960s and 1970s” on the sixth floor. The exhibit, named after John Coltrane’s 1964 album, features Black artists, authors, and activists of that era who have historically been buried in archives to perpetuate white supremacy. It’s free of charge and available for everyone on campus to explore and will be featured through July.

There’s a long way to go before art becomes equally accessible to everyone. However, organizations in Syracuse work every day to bridge the gap.