Congratulations to the Honors Humanities program on receiving about $12,000 to redesign “HHUM106: The Arts and Humanities in Practice” course to incorporate a collaborative public art mural. Designed and taught by Honors Humanities associate director Dr. Sarah Humud, the course redesign will include a mural painting curriculum to create a public mural and raise awareness about environmental justice issues facing Prince George’s County. The entire Honors Humanities student body will design and produce the project, in collaboration with local Prince George’s County communities. The course is rooted in the belief that education should inspire students to be the change they wish to see in the world.
The course establishes a recurring public art mural and the expected impact is fourfold. 1) Student empowerment: By actively participating in the design and execution of public art, students will gain a deeper understanding of environmental justice issues and develop a sense of agency in addressing them. They will realize their personal power to do good in their local community. Students will also work together as a team to design and execute the mural, promoting collaboration, leadership skills, and a sense of shared responsibility. 2) Community engagement: The public art murals will serve as a platform for community dialogue and involvement in environmental justice conversations, bridging the gap between the academic setting and the local community. 3) Public art benefits: Public art contributes to community well-being, fosters a sense of pride, and can positively impact the local economy. Our public arts projects will foster the many social, economic, and cultural benefits of public art, and thereby enhance community well-being. 4) Educational benefits: Through hands-on learning, the public art murals will allow students to apply the theoretical concepts they learn in class to real-world projects, fostering experiential learning and critical thinking.
The 27 grantees of the Do Good Campus Fund—who include faculty, staff and student groups—all plan to expand or scale up efforts happening across the University of Maryland, aimed at reimagining learning and serving humanity both inside and outside the classroom. Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice, the Do Good Campus Strategic Leadership Council, and the Do Good Institute selected the award winners from 140 applications in this inaugural round. Additionally, arts-related projects are provided with matching funds through the university’s Arts for All initiative.
