On a recent Saturday afternoon at The Nicholson Project, an intimate group of artists and neighbors gathered to discuss the joys and challenges of building a robust arts scene in Ward 7. A diverse range of creatives were present: musicians, a muralist, art instructors, teen artists, and other creators and art lovers.
“We deserve spaces to grow and become artists [who are] emerging, mid-career, and masters,” said Mona Osuchukwu, a D.C. native, vocalist, and arts education advocate. “If given the resources and opportunity, many artists would see that Ward 7 has the space and can be as vibrant as any other ward.”
The event was a collaboration between The Nicholson Project, a nonprofit residency for Ward 7 artists, and The 51st’s Community Connector Program, which seeks to amplify voices and close information gaps between local media and marginalized District residents.
Many of the group’s concerns reflect challenges that artists across the city face: lack of affordable spaces to gather and exhibit their work, funding to sustain their crafts, and awareness through local media and other platforms.
“Local newspapers at one time could reliably and effectively collate and broadcast a wide variety of arts experiences to a large audience,” wrote Shelby Hubbard, who covers arts and culture in the District. She points to the end of The Washington Post’s “In the Galleries” column, along with closures of publications that contributed to "critical arts coverage” like The Pink Line Project, Brightest Young Things, Dirt DVM, and DCist.
“Today, niche communities find each other through a handful of Instagram accounts, blogs, and the occasional review,” she continued.
In Ward 7, creating robust arts communities is even more difficult. There’s no central place for artists to gather like the Anacostia Arts Center in Ward 8, and many of them feel siloed. And when local media gives the spotlight to D.C.-based artists and events, they rarely center Ward 7 communities. Participants also said they want pipelines and resources for young people to access art education without traveling across the city.
(Charmaine Mapp)
Artists are often among the first people to imagine what is possible for a community. It’s their nature to tell stories, document history, and create spaces for new ideas. A flourishing arts and culture ecosystem allows for everyone to enjoy new experiences, understand other perspectives, and find creativity in their own lives.
The 51st is committed to building our arts and culture coverage, and we’re proud to have a team that is well-equipped to dive into these stories. Our lead community connector George Kevin Jordan is an artist (and The Nicholson Project’s inaugural local artist studio resident), and our new senior reporter Elliot C. Williams has deep experience covering D.C.’s creative scene.
Our conversation ended with building a collaborative mural, where attendees drew, collaged, and wrote their visions for the future of the arts scene in Ward 7: a flowing river, neighbors holding hands, an arts center, and more. We came out of the event with new connections, a better understanding of challenges and opportunities, and of course, tons of ideas for future stories.
“I hope [local media] can grab the stories of unsung people who started the arts in the city, while simultaneously blending those who are coming in,” said Osuchukwu about future arts and culture coverage in the District.
Sam is a reporter with The 51st. She was a multimedia freelance journalist for a year before joining the team. Prior to that, she worked at Vox and More Perfect Union. Sam has covered a wide range of issues, from invasive vines to vaccines.
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all:
