Organizations

Since March 2020, an international collective of university students, artists, and healthcare advocates has been working to “Free the Vaccine for COVID-19.” In other words: to make sure that publicly-funded tests, treatments, and effective vaccines are available to everyone, everywhere, not just those with the ability to pay. Guaranteeing this access is crucial for ending the pandemic. And, from an ethical standpoint, it’s simply the right thing to do. The campaign uses artistic activism to bolster calls from around the world for a “people’s vaccine.” Methods are based on research and history.

The Arts Alliance Illinois is encouraging all of their members and the whole creative sector to get involved encouraging their communities to get vaccinated as a method of safely returning to arts activities. The campaign, called #VaxToGetBack, is targeting arts organizations and enthusiasts throughout the state of Illinois. They invite their partners to participate in the campaign by posting on Instagram and Facebook about how they are ready to get back to in-person arts appreciation — whether that’s hosting gallery openings or shows, plays, concerts, or any arts-focused activities.

The Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA) is a tribally designated housing entity serving the Cook Inlet region, including Anchorage, Alaska. The agency develops, owns, and operates a large portfolio of affordable housing throughout the region. Serving not only tribal members and other Alaska Natives and Native Americans but also the diverse population of greater Anchorage. CIHA identified the need to use arts and culture to encourage residents’ involvement in local planning and design to unify them. Collaboration with local artists and experimentation in activating space, creative placemaking, and problem-solving demonstrates CIHA's strategic intent to infuse their work with novel strategies and insights. They are guided by Alaska Native values and the Community Development Investments program provided the staff the opportunity to incorporate those values into activities and practices that enhanced their capacity to meet residents’ housing needs more effectively and to build genuine community.

The Peale Museum in Baltimore, MD is expanding upon storytelling programming by leveraging local and national experts on vaccine uptake to create a cohort of local youth to serve as “Ambassadors” who can engage their vaccine-hesitant peers on vaccine confidence and uptake.

INTO ACTION is a movement of designers, illustrators, animators and artists building cultural momentum around civic engagement and the issues affecting our country and world. These GIFs are free to use without modification or credit, but they appreciate being tagged where possible. Find them on Instagram and Twitter at @intoactionus.

Forsyth Barr Stadium Vaccination Clinic

The COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative partnered with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to create an music video encouraging vaccination. The campaign, entitled "It's Up to You", was made to express the wish that sports can return to normalcy thanks to the vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative is lead by the Ad Council, and the COVID Collaborative with the involvement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As part of its "Vaccines & Us" collaboration, the Smithsonian Institute partnered with Baruch College to create and choose posters that highlight COVID-19 vaccination awareness efforts. The four winning artists each represented this message in different ways. For example, Joey Criscione's winning design was inspired by the Netflix logo, using a V rather than an N to easily communicate how receiving a vaccine saves lives. Other winners include Isabelle Izkiyayeva, Justin Chen, and Erica Wong. Vaccines & Us is an organization formed through the collaboration of the Smithsonian and other cultural organizations, with the goal of promoting vaccination among Americans.