Pandemic-Centric Inclusivity

​​By: Raina Allen, Nate Demchak, Samuel Klestzick, Molly Vashovsky

Curator’s Note;

The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone. Many lost their lives due to Covid-19, people lost their jobs, businesses were forced to shut down, racial discrimination was at a high, and other groups were negatively affected by the pandemic. Our exhibit focuses on the ways the pandemic has made marginalized groups’ struggles more visible, and the actions taken to try and reach true equality as a result. The art dives into sub-topics such as mental health, Black Lives Matter, Asian hate and discrimination, people with disabilities, the at-risk population such as those experiencing homelessness, and those who struggled with the switch to remote learning. Although these groups endured challenges during the pandemic, our exhibit fixates on the inclusivity and awareness that has been raised and how this increased inclusivity has affected these communities.

Mental health has become a bigger concern more than ever before. The lack of social interaction during the pandemic was a factor in the increase of mental health concerns as many people weren’t able to gather with friends and family for over a year. It’s important to note that the pandemic also shed a light on the need of those in the medical field to have access to mental health professionals, as they deal with illnesses and death on a daily basis.  However, due to all of these contributions, mental health has gained a lot of awareness and inclusivity has been promoted throughout the pandemic. This sub-topic focuses on art as both a way to demonstrate the importance of prioritizing your mental health and as a way to open up when you’re physically trapped inside.

People with disabilities were also heavily affected due to the sudden changes in lifestyle. The pandemic made it clear that many people with disabilities felt voiceless, but that change is possible. Many professions changed their guidelines of when people need to work, something people with disabilities have been striving towards for a long time. The pandemic made it evident that progress can be made when people are willing to change. The art of this subtopic represents the voices of people with disabilities and encourages the increase of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. 

With the shift to remote learning and the disconnection from social activities, people began to spend the majority of their time looking at a screen and scrolling on social media. The extreme increase in the use of technology during the pandemic has also resulted in many being left behind due to limited access to technology. Many students nationwide do not have access to WiFi or computers. This has resulted in students falling behind in their coursework and even failing out of school. 

The at-risk population, such as those experiencing homelessness, was at a greater risk throughout the pandemic. As people were advised to stay at home to stop the spread of Covid-19, many of those experiencing homelessness didn’t have access to sheltered areas and had to remain on the streets. On top of that, public transportation is heavily relied upon and those without other means of transportation were also at risk. However, as people began to become aware of these issues, an increase in inclusivity occurred for the at-risk population. Mobile units were set up around NYC to provide Covid tests and vaccinations for the public. In Indiana, access to free wifi was available at numerous bus stops for the public. This sub-topic includes photography to showcase how the inclusivity of the at-risk population improved during the pandemic.

Racial discrimination became one of the main concerns during 2020 along with Covid-19. Events such as the death of George Floyd sparked protests throughout the world in regard to racial discrimination. Asian hate was also prevalent during the pandemic with racialized attacks and remarks towards Asians. With the rise of the Pandemic and major politicians using hateful rhetoric, discriminating against the Asian American community, the Stop Asian Hate movement gained traction to attempt to bring awareness and stop the acts of violence that were subsequently sparked. Along with the protests, public artwork sprung up in cities across the world to raise awareness for these communities. Examples of public art along with poetry that represents the struggles that these communities face are the main focus for this sub-topic. 

The curators of this exhibit believe that inclusivity of all communities will allow our society to continue to grow and thrive. This exhibit captures the positive effects that inclusivity during the pandemic had on certain groups. This is done through the inclusion of public art, photography, articles, and poems. This Pandemic-centric Inclusivity exhibit connects to the Museum of Us due to the focus on modern societal issues and the importance of awareness and inclusion for these issues.