“As a non-profit institution dedicated to showcasing regional, national and international artists, Dallas Contemporary (dc) strives to bring new ideas to our local community. The money raised by generous supporters of North Texas Giving Day helps dc develop exhibitions that not only educate our visitors but greatly impact the Dallas community as a whole.
Inside Out Project*
“In January 2014, dc invited French street artist JR to turn our building inside out as part of his global Inside Out Project. With a mission to turn the world into a public canvas, JR invites participants to publicly stand up for what they believe in by pasting their portraits within their communities. To date, Inside Out has reached 112 countries, and the likenesses of over 200,000 participants can be seen in such places as the highways of Hong Kong, the walls of the Middle East, the bustling streets of Time Square, the favelas of Brazil and the icy landscape of the North Pole.
Images of the Inside Out Project*
“While at Dallas Contemporary, the Inside Out Photobooth captured close to 3,000 portraits of Dallas community members. The photobooth printed large poster-sized portraits that were wheatpasted on the walls and floor of the museum creating a spectacle that highlighted Dallas’ diverse cultural identity. Each participant was invited to stand up for what they believe in. For the Inside Out Project, all are equal and every message is uniquely important.
“Dallas Contemporary has proudly produced ten unique street art pieces within Dallas in the last two years. Adding to this collection, we took JR’s photo booth truck out into the community and wheat pasted portraits on walls in Trinity Groves and Deep Ellum. Not yet satisfied with our Inside Out Dallas take over, we invited schools from across the
“Metroplex to the museum to create their own portraits and encouraged them to paste them up at their schools. Williams Preparatory, Peak Preparatory and Denton High School rose to the challenge and brought the project back to their classmates. Amy Parks-Heath Elementary brought their students and asked them to write their favorite word on their hand in their pictures. The photographs show young smiling faces taking a stance on compassion, creativity and honesty.
“With the money raised from North Texas Giving Day, dc was able to provide transportation to school groups, host a public artist talk with JR and expand the project outside our museum. This kind of community engagement is essential to a museum’s growth and success, and we can only do it with your support! We hope you will join us this year on September 18 to help dc continue its work in the community!”
-By Jacque Donaldson, Development Assistant for Dallas Contemporary
* Photos provided by Dallas Contemporary