An exhibition featuring cardboard is changing more than perceptions of an everyday material. It’s changing who walks through the gallery doors.
This summer, The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards set out to answer a simple question: What happens when an exhibition is designed for everyone instead of the traditional gallery audience?
Supported through a Grassroots Grant from The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro and the N.C. Arts Council, the exhibition at The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards reimagined what an accessible arts experience could look like. The “Out of the Box” exhibition paired multicultural artists, bilingual programming, and hands-on experiences to make the gallery more welcoming and accessible.
Since opening in May, the exhibition has welcomed 1,456 visitors, including hundreds of first-time guests, families, educators and residents who had never visited the gallery before.
Recognizing that Guilford County’s growing Hispanic community had been underrepresented among its visitors, the gallery reimagined nearly every aspect of the experience. It translated exhibition panels, class flyers, surveys, and web content into Spanish. It offered bilingual workshops, and community leaders from the YWCA’s Latino Family Center helped shape outreach efforts.
The impact was immediate. One bilingual workshop attracted an audience that was 57 percent Hispanic. The second reached 87 percent. More than 70 percent of Hispanic attendees said it was their first visit to TAG.
The exhibition also sparked moments of discovery. During summer camp, artist Jonathan Vizcuna introduced children to a Crayola marker airbrush. As vibrant colors spread across cardboard, the room fell silent before erupting in excitement.
“It was an amazing reminder of the importance of collaboration and the power of art to inspire joy and wonder among kids and adults,” said Curator Kathryn Drum.
“Out of the Box” launched TAG’s first paid summer artist residency, connected teachers with working artists, and strengthened partnerships with organizations serving Latino families, educators, artists and downtown businesses.
For TAG, the exhibition affirmed a simple idea: when art feels accessible, more people choose to make it part of their lives.
The ACGG, in collaboration with High Point Arts Council, administers Grassroots Grants that help Guilford County arts organizations create programs to expand access to the arts. These grants are funded through the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program.
