What is the Child Rights Exhibit?

The Child Rights traveling exhibit is composed of thirty works created by poets and artists in KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa and in the United States. Each poet created a piece about the plight of vulnerable children; an artist, selected and paired with the poet, created a two-dimensional piece in response to the poem. The result is a portfolio of works by these poet-artist pairs that will travel to venues in the United States and South Africa.

The traveling exhibit and accompanying catalog are a joint initiative between Art for Humanity (Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa) and the Social Action Project (Indiana University South Bend, South Bend, Indiana). 

What does it hope to accomplish?

The partnership uses the traveling exhibit and accompanying catalog TO ADVOCATE for the rights children are promised yet are too often not delivered; TO EDUCATE attendees using the arts as a catalyst for discussion and consciousness-raising; and TO ANALYZE the degree to which participants recognize the link between fine art and changing social attitudes regarding children's rights to protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Public lectures and roundtables regarding social justice issues will be encouraged at each site the exhibit is installed. Instructors will be encouraged to use the exhibit for assignments to explore issues related to civic engagement, social responsibility, and global citizenship. 

Who are the partners?

The Social Action Project (SOCACT) is a community-based action research project in which teams of students and professionals collaborate with community partners. The partnerships generate joint projects that address the problems in living residents identify. The SOCACT is housed in the Psychology Department of Indiana University South Bend. The project operates in South Bend, IN; Benton Harbor, Michigan; and in replication sites in Durban, South Africa. It is directed by Dr. Dé Bryant, a community psychologist and professor. 

            Art for Humanity specializes in producing fine art print portfolios, exhibitions, billboards and research projects which advocate human rights issues in South Africa, across Africa and internationally. The project is housed in the Fine Arts department of the Durban University of Technology.  It is directed by Dr. Jan Jordaan, an artist and project designer.

How can I get involved? 

Showings in the United States are currently being organized. If you would like to participate contact Dr. Dé Bryant by phone at (574) 520-4447 or via e-mail at dbryant@iusb.edu.

 For information about the poets and artists go to the website for Art for Humanity: www.afh.org.za