Knowledge is an Art Form

Tidewater Arts Outreach, with support from the CDC Foundation, will launch the “Knowledge is an Art Form” competition.

The competition is calling on the region’s artistic talent to address the challenges of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Tidewater Arts Outreach was one of 30 organizations in the United States funded to use the arts to educate communities and encourage vaccination for COVID-19 and the flu, according to Tidewater Arts Outreach Executive Director, Kate Powell.

“We are thrilled to partner with the CDC Foundation on this project,” Powell said.

“The arts are uniquely positioned to speak on these topics in an accessible and equitable way and our region’s artistic talent is rich enough to rise to that challenge. We are hopeful Hampton Roads can engage in a healthy dialogue about the history and science of vaccines and overcome the challenges of vaccine hesitancy through the artistic lens this project provides,” she said.

Through its “Knowledge is an Art Form” competition, Tidewater Arts Outreach will fund up to 20 finalists at $500 each to create a work of art that creatively communicates the science and function of vaccines and addresses the community’s concerns and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. The competition is open to any visual arts medium.

The proposal round for the competition is currently open to any visual artist residing or working within 50 miles of Norfolk. Deadline for proposals is January 31, 2022. Details at www.tidewaterartsoutreach.org.

Funding is made possible through the CDC Foundation and is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) financial assistance award totaling $2,500,000.00. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government, according to information provided by Tidewater Arts Outreach.

Founded in 2004, the mission of Tidewater Arts Outreach is to bring joy to older adults and those living in isolating circumstances and enhance their well-being through creative engagement with the arts.