Deciphering Otherness: A Celebration of Contemporary Identity

About

Come to the Museum of Contemporary Art and join colleagues for an afternoon of discussion exploring how educators can help students decipher issues about contemporary identity. Specifically we will examine the idea of otherness and explore how the representation of cultural others is manifested in the classroom. Who gets to tell this story? How do artists working today reveal and question ideas about contemporary identity?

We all recognize that there is no one cohesive "youth" identity, but rather multiple identities that are shaped by forces that are both internal and external, cultural and political, mainstream and marginal.

The MCA has invited a panel of artists and educators to help us navigate through these ideas:

• Carol Ng-He - artist; educator, Roosevelt University and Oakton Community College
• Walter Ornelas - artist; visual art teacher, Crown Academy
• Bert Stabler - artist; writer; visual art teacher, Bowen Environmental Studies Team
• Suree Towfighnia - independent filmmaker; co-founder of Prairie Dust Films
• Moderator: Karla Fuller, Professor of Film Studies, Columbia College

The MCA invites teachers, student teachers, and teaching artists alike to participate in lively discourse as we consider this topic. The Educator Salon is intended to be an intimate gathering with the goal of creating a supportive professional learning community to explore and share ideas.

All MCA teacher programs are free for Illinois educators. Participating teachers receive CPDUs toward teaching-certificate renewal.

Preregistration is required, email teacherprograms@mcachicago.org or call 312-397-3838\. Vouchers for free parking in the MCA garage will be provided pending availability.