St. Olaf students Linnea Cheek ’21 (second from left) and Hannah Liu ’21 (second from right) educate students on voter registration and other election topics prior to the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Image Courtesy: St Olaf College Marketing and Communications.
Practicing Democracy: 150 Years of St. Olaf Student Civic Engagement
Flaten Art Museum
September 13 – December 10, 2024*
In the fall of 2024, St. Olaf College’s Flaten Art Museum (FAM) will become a site for practicing democracy leading up to and following the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. In partnership with the college’s Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) program (within the Smith Center for Global Engagement), the Institute for Freedom and Community (IFC), and College Archives, FAM presents these non-partisan exhibitions to strengthen civil society and highlight the power of art in fostering civic engagement.
Practicing Democracy (September 13 – December 10, 2024) explores and promotes St. Olaf student civic engagement as the college marks its 150th anniversary. Decades of engagement and activism paved the way for St. Olaf College to lead voter engagement among U.S. colleges and universities today. Photographs and ephemera on loan from College Archives highlight non-violent protests, artistic responses to urgent issues, candidate campus visits, and get-out-the-vote campaigns from the early 1900s to the present. These artifacts offer a window into the college’s past and reveal that students have long been at the forefront of political activism. The exhibition continues with an immersive mock election experience where visitors can register to vote, cast a straw poll ballot, and discover ways to stay informed and engaged. Following the election on Tuesday, November 5, this gallery will transform into a “living room” for reflection and civic dialogue.
*Closed for St. Olaf’s Fall Break October 12-15, and Thanksgiving Break November 27-December 1.
Programming
Friday, September 13, 5-7 p.m.
Opening Celebration
Enjoy a slice of Pause Pizza with the exhibition’s curators during a celebratory election season kick-off and opening reception. Remarks at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 17, 3-5 p.m.
Register to Vote at FAM
Got questions about the election? Need to register to vote? St. Olaf’s helpful student Election Ambassadors will hold office hours in the gallery in honor of National Voter Registration Day and Constitution Day.
Saturday, October 5, 4 p.m.
March, Speak, Dance, Draw, Vote! Civic Engagement Alumni Roundtable and Reception
Join St. Olaf alumni who have made notable contributions to civic engagement, including Bryan Bass ‘95, Aidan Lloyd ‘24, Lily Moua ‘06, Vince Omni ‘96, Jeff Strate ‘66, and Deanna Thompson ‘89. Moderated by Alyssa Melby, Program Director for Academic Civic Engagement at St. Olaf, panelists will converse about the many forms of student activism, past and present. This event is presented in conjunction with Homecoming and Family Weekend. All are welcome!
Thursday, October 10, 4 p.m.
Understanding Polling | Flaten Art Museum
Despite political polls being a ubiquitous part of American elections, they are poorly understood by the public. Professor Chris Chapp will explain how polls work and why professional pollsters can arrive at different results, ultimately addressing the question, “can we trust the polls?”
Thursday, October 24, 4 p.m.
Sunshine Hillygus: Mobilizing Young Voters in a Polarized Political Environment
Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons
Join Hillygus for a reception at the Flaten Art Museum immediately following the talk.
Sunday, November 3, 5-6 p.m.
Unbuttoning the Archives: Rediscovering Ole Subculture | Buntrock Crossroads
Have you ever wondered what St. Olaf student subculture was like in the past? Oles have always been civically engaged and subversive — come interact with this history through button-making. Do you have something you’d like to contribute to the St. Olaf College Archives? Bring it with you and give it a new home! Hosted by students in Christina Spiker’s ART 282: Making Museums Matter.
Tuesday, November 5
Election Day!
Thursday, November 7, 5:30 p.m.
Post-Election Living Room Conversation with Professor Chris Chapp | Flaten Art Museum Living Room
Cozy in and debrief the election results with popcorn and hot apple cider in a casual Q & A setting.
Saturday, November 9, 2-3 p.m.
Hot Chocolate For Your Thoughts | Flaten Art Museum Living Room
Cozy up in your pajamas and bring a mug to the Flaten Art Museum Living Room for post-election community building, self-care, and craft hour. Hosted by students in Christina Spiker’s ART 282: Making Museums Matter.
November 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
What If??? | Buntrock Crossroads
In conversation with Nina Katchadourian’s Monument to the Unelected, this hands-on event offers space to process thoughts, memories, and feelings about paths not chosen. Through reflection and sign-making, participants will consider large-scale political decisions as well as interpersonal ones. Hosted by students in Christina Spiker’s ART 282: Making Museums Matter.
Saturday, November 16, 2:30-4 p.m: Story Circle: The Environment and Our Democracy
Thursday, November 21, 6:30-8 p.m: Story Circle: Climate Stories to Action
Sunday, November 24, 1-2:30 p.m: Story Circle: Land Ownership and Stewardship in the United States
Juliet Patterson’s ENVST 381 “Environmental Storytelling” students will lead small group story circles in the Flaten Art Museum Living Room during the weeks following the election.
Thursday, December 5, 12:45 p.m.
Join Jaden Janek’s HIST 181 “Civil Rights and Black Power” students as they present their custom zines on famous civil rights leaders, some of whom visited campus and are on view in Practicing Democracy.
Are you a teacher?
This exhibition offers multiple entry points for teaching, learning and enrichment. Explore the exhibition’s Teaching Guide for creative ways to integrate the exhibition into your coursework. Guided tours and self-led visits are available for classes and groups. Request a group visit.
Practicing Democracy is curated by Jane Becker Nelson, Director and Curator of the Flaten Art Museum with Krista Anderson-Larson, Flaten Art Museum Collections Manager, Alyssa Melby, Program Director of Academic Civic Engagement at St. Olaf College, and Chris Chapp, Professor of Political Science and Morrison Family Director of the Institute for Freedom and Community at St. Olaf College.
Thanks to student curatorial assistants Omar Al-Taie ‘24, Anika James ‘25, Andrew Mazariegos ‘24, Emma Rezac ‘25, Lauren Schilling ‘25, Sophie Smith ’25, and Roxi Wessel ’26. We are especially grateful to St. Olaf College Archives, Carleton College’s Perlman Teaching Museum, and Carleton College Archives for their robust partnership and generous loans.
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