Edition No. 38
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
In 2019, The Ford Foundation launched a discussion on the future of philanthropy; Lin-Manuel Miranda and his father Luis discuss how artists can use their work to drive change.
Community Interest
Apply now for our Veterans Storm Damage Relief Fund. Up to $50,000 in grants is available to help those who experienced losses attributable to storm damage on June 24-27.
American Democracy
An article from the UM-Dearborn Reporter explores the continuing research into K-12 civics education, as well as the multitude of challenges faced by those who teach the subject.
Why Artists Shouldn't Stay in Their Lane
As a nonprofit arts organization, The War Memorial strives to find ways of giving back to the community by producing world-class performances and artistic offerings. With a mission to be a patriotic, cultural, and community leader, we hold the weight of giving and community outreach on our shoulders. It’s the same reason we launched our Veterans Storm Damage Relief Fund (see below), and it’s the driving force of our institution’s ethos.
In 2019, The Ford Foundation launched a new conversation around The Future of Philanthropy. They invited a collection of individuals to participate and share their perspectives on philanthropy in our society. Of those invited, Lin-Manuel Miranda and his father Luis Miranda offer their take on how artists can use their work and voice for justice. In a brief ten-minute interview, Lin and Luis speak with Elaine Welteroth about the various ways they have utilized art (specifically Lin’s smash hit Hamilton) to give back and build a future within an arts community. The conversation leads viewers to the idea that art is the ultimate starting point for philanthropy and a bridge for many divides. And who knows? Perhaps this video will inspire you to spend some time catching a viewing of Hamilton on Disney+ or In The Heights at your local theater. And all while thinking of the next best way you can give back!
“I believe the impulses for activism and philanthropy and your artistic impulses come from the same place … Listen to that impulse.”
Veterans Storm Damage Relief Fund
Through the generosity of its friends and supporters, The War Memorial is making up to one hundred $500 Storm Damage Relief grants available to veterans from various geographic areas surrounding The War Memorial who have experienced losses from storm damage during the period June 24 – June 27, 2021.
A total of $50,000 is currently available for these grants allowing up to 100 grants to be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterans, their widows/widowers, and current service member households residing in the five Grosse Pointes, Harper Woods, and Detroit’s 48215 ZIP Code are eligible to apply.
Requirements to apply:
Residence in a house, apartment, or other dwellings in one of the five Grosse Pointes, Harper Woods, or Detroit’s 48215 ZIP Code.
Losses attributable to storm damage in the period June 24 – 27 as documented by insurance claim number or form, municipal storm damage form, or statement describing the nature of the damages or losses experienced.
Documented service in one of the United States armed services: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard. Widows/widowers of deceased veterans are also eligible, as are current service members. A scanned or photographed copy of your DD-214 or other proof of service will be required.
The Challenges of Teaching Civics
Unless you attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn, you’ve probably not seen the article at the link below on the difficulty of teaching civics and American history in our present political and social environment. This article from the UM-Dearborn Reporter explores the continuing research of UM-Dearborn Ed.D. candidate Karen Caldwell into K-12 civics education and the challenges experienced by those who teach the subject. Not surprisingly, politics presents a significant problem leading some teachers to shy away from timely examples or important but potentially controversial topics lest they receive complaints from parents and/or school administrators. If that weren’t bad enough, the extremely limited amount of time, spread across three different grades, allocated for Michigan students to learn civics also presents a major impediment to giving young people what Caldwell called, “… all of the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to be a good citizen.”
“The core challenge is that kids are most engaged with the things that resonate with their lived experience, but those are the things that will get you in trouble as a teacher…”
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.