Edition No. 43
Arts and Culture
See it before it goes! Cranbrook Academy of Art’s latest exhibition, With Eyes Open, closes on September 19. Watch a PBS NewsHour segment to learn about this retrospective exhibit.
American Democracy
As battles over election law continue at both the state and federal level, two new reports from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center provide some much-needed context for the ongoing debate.
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932
In late June, we highlighted the latest exhibition of Cranbrook Academy of Art, With Eyes Open. The show chronicles the school’s nearly 90-year history, featuring more than 275 works by more than 220 artists. All pieces have a connection to the various areas of study at the school, including art, architecture, craft, and design.
The exhibition, which closes to the public this weekend, has gained national media attention for its ingenuity and influence on the world of art and design. A recent segment for PBS NewsHour’s art and culture series, “CANVAS,” took a look at the unique way artists were embracing the theme of the show. Jeffery Brown sat down with Museum Director Andrew Blauvelt to discuss the curation and creativity of this exhibit. Be sure to visit the exhibition before it closes. The final day to visit is September 19. To plan your trip, click here.
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
Significant Differences Have Emerged in How Americans Now View Voting
As battles over election law continue at both the state and federal level, two new reports from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center provide some much-needed context for the ongoing debate. While the debate on election law changes has nominally been about questions of fact, these new Pew studies suggest that something much more fundamental may really be powering the move toward substantial election law changes in many states including Michigan.
Through surveys done in March and July of this year, Pew researchers found significant differences in how voters favoring one party versus those favoring the other party now view voting in terms of three important questions:
Is voting a fundamental right or a privilege?
Should voting be made as convenient as possible?
Can convenient voting be kept secure?
Is voting a fundamental right or a privilege?
In the Pew study, 78% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents agreed with the statement, voting is a “fundamental right for every US citizen and should not be restricted in any way” in contrast to only 32% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents. In contrast, 67% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, but only 21% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents, agreed with the statement that voting is a “privilege that comes with responsibilities and can be limited.”
Should voting be made as convenient as possible?
Despite a global pandemic, the 2020 elections achieved unprecedented levels of turnout. In part, that was the result of an unusually compelling Presidential race. That record levels of voting could be achieved during a pandemic, however, was likely only possible because many jurisdictions implemented measures that facilitated voting while remaining socially distanced. Not surprisingly, whether such measures should be kept in place for future elections is an important part of the current debate. In March 2021, 85% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents, but only 37% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, agreed with the statement, “Everything possible should be done to make it easy for every citizen to vote.”
Can convenient voting be kept secure?
Republican and Democratic voters also exhibited markedly different responses when asked if more convenient voting could be kept secure. Republican and Democratic voters responded in dramatically different ways when the following statement was put in front of them, “If election rules were changed to make it easier to register and vote, elections would be less secure.” Among Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, 61% agreed with that statement in contrast to only 16% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents.
Bells Across America
In honor of Constitution Day on Friday, September 17, our friends at The Louisa St.Clair Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, are planning Bells Across America. This Friday at 4pm, listen as churches and bell towers ring their bells to celebrate the signing of our constitution.
Classes and Events at The War Memorial
After a long break, The War Memorial is excited to begin offering classes to the community again! There is art, fencing, ballroom dancing, and everything in between. We promise there is a class for everyone! Our website is constantly updated to reflect our most current class schedule.
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.